Turkeys were once worshipped as gods

Ancient Aztecs and Mayans revered turkeys as sacred animals, linking them to deities and fertility. Domesticated in Mexico around 800 BCE, turkeys appeared in Mayan art and hieroglyphics. Aztec nobility even wore elaborate cloaks made from their vibrant feathers as symbols of status. These birds were also central to religious ceremonies, with sacrifices and bones used for instruments.