How do colonial-era pictorial manuscripts contribute to our understanding of Aztec food rituals? They provide visual documentation of pre-Hispanic and colonial food traditions. They only depict Spanish meals introduced after conquest. They focus exclusively on European religious practices. They were destroyed and no longer exist.

Colonial-era pictorial manuscripts are significant for understanding Aztec food rituals primarily because: - **They provide visual documentation of pre-Hispanic and colonial food traditions.** These manuscripts often include illustrations and descriptions of various food items, preparation methods, and the contexts in which food was consumed, reflecting both indigenous practices and the influences of Spanish colonization. The other options are not accurate: - **They only depict Spanish meals introduced after conquest.** This is incorrect as many manuscripts also include traditional Aztec foods and rituals. - **They focus exclusively on European religious practices.** This is misleading since they encompass a broader range of cultural practices, including indigenous rituals. - **They were destroyed and no longer exist.** This is false; many such manuscripts have survived and are valuable resources for historical research. Thus, the correct answer is that colonial-era pictorial manuscripts provide visual documentation of pre-Hispanic and colonial food traditions.