Richard Townsend proposed a different theory, claiming that the figure at the centre of the stone represents Tlaltecuhtli, the Mexica sea or earth monster who features in Mexica creation myths.
On the bottom of the statue, not normally visible, is a carving of Tlaltecuhtli ("earth-lord").
Below this, facing upwards, is a depiction of the earth deity Tlaltecuhtli, next to which are military equipment representing warfare.