Final answer:
The statement regarding the Aztec Ruler's Feather Headdress being made primarily of gold is false; it was mainly composed of feathers from various birds with only some gold ornamentation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assertion that the Ruler's Feather Headdress, attributed to the Mexica (Aztec) from 1428-1520 CE, is primarily made of gold is false. This iconic piece of Aztec featherwork primarily consisted of numerous tail feathers from the Quetzal and other birds like the Cotinga, Spoonbill, and Cuckoo, all intricately attached to a fiber net. While the front part of the headdress did include gold ornamentation, such as a bird's beak made of gold, which has unfortunately been lost over time, it was not the main material of the headdress.
Gold did play a significant role in the Aztec culture, especially in personal adornments and religious rituals. Items such as jewelry and personal decorations were formed from gold through methods like the lost wax method and hammering thin sheets of gold. However, for this famous headdress, the splendor came from the laborious and skillful art of featherwork, a revered craft where artisans, or amantecas, created elaborate items for the empire's rulers, priests, and elites.