Daily Life in Tenochtitlán

Tenochtitlán was the center of the Aztec Empire (approx )

What sources of information do we have about Aztec history?  Ancient Aztec books of drawings, called codices.  Aztec oral history, or storytelling, that has been passed down for generations.  A Spanish friar learned Nahuatl (the Aztec language) and recorded detailed accounts of Aztec history at the time of the Spanish conquest.  Ancient Aztec books of drawings, called codices.  Aztec oral history, or storytelling, that has been passed down for generations.  A Spanish friar learned Nahuatl (the Aztec language) and recorded detailed accounts of Aztec history at the time of the Spanish conquest.

The Aztecs Built Tenochtitlán in the middle of a large lake, linked to the mainland by causeways and aquaducts.

The city, estimated to have a population of more than 250,000 people, had a large ceremonial center.

How to feed 250,000 people?  Aztec farmers built floating gardens in swamps and marshes called chinampas.  Aztec farmers built floating gardens in swamps and marshes called chinampas.

Building Chinampas  First, workers dug canals. Then they placed mud from dredging the canals onto mats made from weeds and straw. Workers continued to add layers of mud and vegetation to build raised beds.  Farmers planted willow trees on the sides and corners. When these trees took root, they secured the chinampa firmly to the bottom of the swamp.  First, workers dug canals. Then they placed mud from dredging the canals onto mats made from weeds and straw. Workers continued to add layers of mud and vegetation to build raised beds.  Farmers planted willow trees on the sides and corners. When these trees took root, they secured the chinampa firmly to the bottom of the swamp.

How Did Farmers Use Chinampas?  Each chinampa was about 300' (the length of a football field!) × 15' to 20' and a few feet higher than the surrounding water.  Chinampas often yielded 7 harvests per plot per year (vital for feeding such a large population).  Aztecs grew crops such as corn, beans, chiles, tomatoes and squash.  Farmers used canoes to reach their plot and to transport their harvest to the city. You can still find some chinampas being used around Mexico City today.  Each chinampa was about 300' (the length of a football field!) × 15' to 20' and a few feet higher than the surrounding water.  Chinampas often yielded 7 harvests per plot per year (vital for feeding such a large population).  Aztecs grew crops such as corn, beans, chiles, tomatoes and squash.  Farmers used canoes to reach their plot and to transport their harvest to the city. You can still find some chinampas being used around Mexico City today.

Mexican flag -- what image is in the center?

Photo Sources  s/aztecartifacts001.jpg s/aztecartifacts001.jpg   l.html l.html  nampas4.jpg nampas4.jpg  nampas2.jpg nampas2.jpg  html html  pg pg  Chinampas.shtml Chinampas.shtml  s/aztecartifacts001.jpg s/aztecartifacts001.jpg   l.html l.html  nampas4.jpg nampas4.jpg  nampas2.jpg nampas2.jpg  html html  pg pg  Chinampas.shtml Chinampas.shtml