[Jim McDougall]

Outstanding examples of Apache shields!
Ibrahiim, thank you for the excellent input and references which give us a bit more dimension in understanding the character of shields in the American Indian culture.

As noted, the purpose of the shield in these tribes was not technically for physical defense (though obviously they were in some degree) but far more spiritually oriented. As well illustrated in the wide variations of decoration and motif, each shield was very personal to its owner, and as indicated, these designs and patterns were totemic and spiritually symbolic to the individual.

These circular shields were much smaller than the far earlier examples, as of course when warriors became mounted with the advent of the use of horses, the 'pedestrian' or dismounted types were far too large to carry.

In travelling through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana I have had great opportunities to learn a bit more about these fascinating tribes, but have barely even scratched the surface of understanding these amazing cultures. In the Buffalo Bill museum in Cody , Wyoming there are wonderful examples of shields, many are from the Crow, Shoshone and other tribes.

In Montana, a place called Bear Gulch (near Lewiston north of Billings) there are phenomenal petroglyphs which apparently can in many cases be dated to very ancient times. This seems to be an area where these 'vision quests' were accomplished and the designs and symbols often seen are among those transcribed onto the many shield designs. In another location, such petroglyphic or pictographic 'art' is at a location termed "Valley of the Shields".

With regard to the relationships of these tribes to the Aztecs, it is perhaps correct in degree that some of the Plains Tribes were related in a sense. It seems that mostly tribes were anthropologically classified in a linguistic fashion, though clearly there are genetic associations in other perspectives.

The Aztecs were in the Nahuatl group, which actually more aligns with tribes in America such as Shoshone and Ute, while the Apache are of the Athabaskan groups associated with the northwest into Alaska. Though the Aztecs ceased effectively as a distinct ethnic or tribal people in the 16th century, their genetic and ethnic character of course assimilated widely.
Their influences and similarities were also quite apparent in many tribes in America, and there is evidence of trade connections that were in place over centuries.

I would include that certain Apache tribal groups did situate in the northern regions of Mexico, so in that respect were somewhat geographically in areas where Aztec influences would have prevailed traditionally.

The 'chimalli' or Aztec shield, while having many similarities in its decoration and devices, though artistically distinct to Aztec character, had a very different means of representation. It seems these were more aligned to certain achievements of the user which became signals of status, and again, while serving nominally as protection, its symbolism was key to the status of the user.

Some good references q.v. :
"Ancient Visions" , Julie E. Francis; Lawrence L. Loendorf, 2002

"Native American Weapons", Colin F. Taylor, 2001

"Native North American Armor, Shields and Fortifications",
David E. Jones, 2004

"Plains Indian Museum Curators Notes"
Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody, Wyoming

"Fraternity of War", Luciano L'Abate; James Keyser; George Roetschat
This is on the Bear Gulch and Atherton Canyon petroglyphs
available through Oregon Archaeological Society