"Cult of the Dead by the Mountain of Fire"

Cover story: Why did the Aztecs skin human beings and sacrifice children? In Mexico City, archaeologists are uncovering the largest ritual site of this mysterious people - and encountering signs of some gruesome rituals. The most spectacular finds are now on display at a magnificent exhibition in Berlin's Gropiusbau. Curator Gereon Sievernich is showing loans from six Mexican museums, along with others from Paris, Chicago and the Vatican. Bark manuscripts lie in glass cases, illuminated at 40 lux, alongside masks of jade and a golden monkey. The serpent's head in the air well weighs 2.2 tonnes. One statue depicts a woman giving birth, whom Aztec robbers stole from their enemies, the Huastecs from the Gulf coast.

"Then I'll Have to Go into Retirement"

SPIEGEL in-depth interview with Indian prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee about the chances of reconciliation with rival Pakistan, the war against terrorism and the indispensability of the United Nations following America's campaign in Iraq:

"I have emphasised more than once that we want peace with Pakistan and are striving for friendly cooperation. ... The geographical location of the two countries alone makes it essential for India an Pakistan to have good relations. We all only stand to gain by no longer exhausting ourselves in a nonsensical confrontation. ... We are partners in an international coalition against terrorism and in order to fight it everywhere we need to support each other. This is why the USA also plays a part in this conflict, and we are encouraging it to exercise it effectively. But in all matters that concerns only India and Pakistan, America does not play any part. I think Washington has understood that and accepted it. ... Another strand of developments is the search for multipolar structures for international cooperation. It is a question of different centres of power reaching joint decisions which also take into account the legitimate interests and concerns of individual states. ... The United Nations will continue to play an important role in developing a new multipolar world order."

"This Is a Different World"

Interview with sociologist Fatima Mernissi, who has written much on the subject of Islam, about the background and the effects of the latest suicide attacks in Casablanca and the controversial relationship between Islam and the modern age:

"The insane perpetrators, and particularly the wire-pullers who came up with the idea, have set up the entire population against them. ... Morocco is and remains free of the cancer of terrorism. The murderers who blew up themselves and others are nothing more than recipients of orders, who received their instructions from abroad and carried them out in blind obedience. ... Islam is a religion of dialogue. If you read the Koran properly you'll find nothing that calls into question fundamental democratic values. ... The idea of a secular state does not contradict Islam."

"The Break Is an Episode"

SPIEGEL in-depth interview with Pulitzer Prize winner Jeffrey Eugenides about the success of his novel "Middlesex" and the cultural differences between Germany and the United States:

"To be quite honest, I'm very surprised, too, that a book whose first-person narrator is a hermaphrodite, has been awarded the prize in the year of the war against Saddam Hussein. ... I think every American is prepared for anti-American sentiments when they come to Europe. I was surprised and also a little relieved when I realised that the Germans were not particularly anti-American - certainly not by international comparison. ... "Stay in Europe! Here things are like there were back in the days of McCarthy again" - that's the kind of feedback I've been getting from my friends in New York. ... Most Americans are not focused on foreign policy issues. To them, the most important thing is the economy. And the economy is not in such good shape. ... People are losing their jobs. It's like in Germany. My brother has already been unemployed for a long time. I know many others too. ... The way Germans are able to step outside their national identity and criticise it is something very special. One of the things I have learnt here is to stand apart from your own national identity and to reflect upon it. That's a great gift I have received through my stay in Berlin."

"We Can't Manage without Each Other"

SPIEGEL in-depth interview with fashion designer Jil Sander, 59, and the head of Prada, Patrizio Bertelli, 57, about their second attempt at corporate marriage, old quarrels and new plans for the future, as well as the question whether a luxury label can survive in the long run without its founder:

Sander: "I was never really gone - not only because I remained a shareholder of the company. The company is like a baby that I handed over to strangers. ... Companies like Prada and Jil Sander are like two religions or cultures which, despite all differences, are approaching each other and can grow as a result. Business relations need to be built up."

Bertelli: "Jil Sander is of course the heart and soul of her company. I always realised that. That is ultimately what distinguishes a trademark from a true brand."

Sander: "Just as I myself have changed, so my fashion too will change: becoming more communicative, social, enthusiastic perhaps."

"Fixed Star in the Twilight"

War reporting: Documents discovered in Baghdad incriminate staff of the successful Arab television network Al Jazeera, believed to have operated as agents for the Iraqi secret service. Those in charge at the network doubt that the documents are genuine.

"Three Faces"

Europe: The convention is in a crisis. Arguments about reforms and haggling over positions are blocking the way towards a common constitution. Procedural tricks are to clear the path. The conflict is concentrating particularly on the role of the new president of the European Council. Some want him to be a strong figure, others would ideally prefer not to create the office in the first place.

"Pitfalls of a Planned Economy"

Agricultural policy: Europe's agricultural bureaucracy has a new scandal. Serb traders have deviously obtained millions in EU subsidies for sugar - the government regards this as being perfectly legal.

"Festival of Schizophrenia"

Russia: St. Petersburg is expecting state visitors from all over the world for its 300-year anniversary celebrations. President Putin would like to present the town where he was born as a little treasure chest of European culture. Visitors will not get to see the shady side. On the eve of the great anniversary, Putin claims that "St. Petersburg's 300-year anniversary celebrations are an occasion to remember the greatness of Russia, and its roots". The unveiling of the Amber Room, after restoration work lasting more than 20 years, was only the first in a series of events through which Putin intends to promote his country. He may be helped by the fact that the state visitors will not be staying for very long; and that the secret rulers of St. Petersburg have agreed to remain out of sight.

"No Steering"

Bus accidents: Following the recent bus accidents, the blame is perhaps unfairly being put on the drivers. A high-ranking manager at Neoplan whose identity is known to DER SPIEGEL believes that the accidents may be attributable to a scandal that is being covered up. In terms of safety, he says, the company has been sloppy for years. Design faults in Neoplan buses have led to accidents before - and been hushed up.

"The Warning"

Xenophobia: On May 29, 1993, five Turkish women were killed in an arson attack in Solingen, carried out by four local youths. Ten years later, the perpetrators have been released and are guarding their new lives, while the survivors are fighting to uphold the memory and against mistrust.

"Broke in Jail"

Crime: Thomas Drach, the kidnapper of Jan Philipp Reemtsma, is worried about losing the hidden millions he received as ransom money. Investigators are onto a promising lead that points to Andorra. Reemtsma has gone to great lengths to recover at least some of the ransom. The Hamburg heir is not interested in the money, he would donate that. Reemtsma is tormented by the thought that Thomas Drach could, after serving his prison sentence and being released in 2012, live on the interest from the remaining millions.

"Islands in Dry Land"

Evolution: Biologists are studying the development of new species in ancient lakes. These lakes produce the unique diversity of their species much faster than was previously believed possible. Researchers can almost look on as evolution creates new fishes and crustaceans. Being geologically more stable than rivers, new species can develop in them over the millennia. The fascinating thing for scientist is that up to 80 percent of the lakes' inhabitants are so-called endemic species, in other words they only occur in those lakes and nowhere else in the world.

"Keep Going - Be an Animal"

Sports biology: A professor of biology describes how he managed to run the 100 kilometre race in world record time: he learnt from antelopes, frogs and beetles. For years the professor studied the secrets of animals that survive through endurance. The race became a biological experiment which he carried out on himself, and the prize-winning author tells the story of it as a successful mixture between a biography and a textbook.

"A Tickling in Your Nose Bone"

Hi-fi: Records used to be considered a totally antiquated sound medium, but now two German companies are manufacturing record players that are as expensive as cars - with great success. Luxury equipment like this has only appeared since the demise of the vinyl record. The average listener is happy with CDs - but for the others, record players that exploit state-of-the-art technology are being built at a considerable price. Small factories liberated from the cost pressure of the mass market are developing the most daring machines - and people are buying them.