Oxford University is old, even older than the The Aztec civilization of central Mexico.

Is “Oxford Really Older than the Aztecs”?

Teaching had begun at Oxford University by 1096 while the founding of Tenochtitlán in 1325 marked the start of the Aztec civilization. That means that Oxford predates the Aztecs by over 200 years. [1]

NOTE: This factoid is meant to give a reference for how old Oxford is and how relatively recent Aztec civilization is; it’s not meant to make a comparison between the two.

How Old is Oxford?

According to Oxford University itself, “there is no clear date of foundation, but teaching existed at Oxford in some form in 1096 and developed rapidly from 1167 when Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris.” [2]

By 1249, Oxford was a full-fledged university with student housing at the school’s three original “halls of residence”—University, Balliol and Merton Colleges. [1]

A history of Oxford from a 1941 promotional video.

FACT: Oxford isn’t the oldest university still in operation, but it is close. The oldest University is the University of Al Quaraouiyine is the Oldest University

Did the Aztec Civilization Pre-Date Oxford Unofficially?

If we consider the founding of Tenochtitlán as the start of the Aztec civilization, then Oxford clearly pre-dates it by at least 200 years.

Until around the start of the 1200’s when they arrived in Mesoamerica the Aztecs were likely a nomadic tribe. By 1521 Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro overthrew the Aztecs by force and captured Tenochtitlán ending Aztec civilization. Although Aztec civilization began and ended within the timeline of Oxford University, it’s people’s can trace their history from before the time of Oxford all the way to today.[2]

A history of the Aztecs, who were they and what happened to them?