0
Although the origins of chinampa agriculture in the Valley of Mexico remain unclear, it is said to have been used throughout Mesoamerica centuries prior to the rise of the Aztecs.
However, with the dawn of the Aztec Empire, a systematic programme of construction was carried out over a short period of time. This planning can be seen in the overall uniformity in chinampa size and orientation, as observed in aerial surveys. While the need to sustain large population provided prompted the Aztecs to undertake this massive project, its ability to organise manpower provided the means for its accomplishment.
The lake system within the Valley of Mexico at the time of the Spanish Conquest, showing distribution of the chinampas (for image visit the Wikimedia site link below).
A chinampa plot was constructed by staking out a rectangular enclosure, about 30 m in length and 2.5 m in width, into the marshy lakebed. The enclosure would then be fenced in by joining the stakes with wattle. After that, the fenced in area would be filled with mud and decaying vegetation. In order to prevent the roots from becoming water-logged, it was important that the fill brought the chinampa plot above the lake level. While constructing the next plot, which would be parallel to the first, a narrow canal for the passage of canoe would be left in between these two chinampa plots. The canals surrounding the chinampa plots formed an illusion that these agricultural lands were floating on water, hence its misattribution as ‘floating gardens’. To further stabilise these plots of land, willows were planted around the perimeter. This is due to the dense root system which, over time, anchored the retaining walls of the structure and reduced the effects of erosion."
[add your own https :// www.] ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-americas/chinampas-floating-gardens-mexico-001537
Gea Vox
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoA thriving, if somewhat religiously bloody, civilization.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Who lead the Aztecs when the europeans first arrived in Mexico?
Montezuma II (1466 - 1520) qualified as such.
What areas of Mexico and Central America that were civilized before the Spaniards arrived?
Central Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula and parts of Guatemala, Belize, Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador were part of the Aztec and Mayan civilizations before contact with Europeans was established in 1519.
What Native people lived in New Mexico area before Europeans arrived?
Native American Pueblo Indians.
What agricultural product was cultivated in central Mexico?
Before contact with Europeans was established, products cultivated in central Mexico included beans, corn (maize), tomato and several species of squash.
Who built cities in Mexico and Central America?
You mean before contact with Europeans? That would be the Mayan civilization.
What was the main cause of the decline of Estimated native Population of Central Mexico?
The introduction of diesease by contact with Europeans
What Is the name given to the areas of Mexico and Central America that were civilized before the Spaniards arrived.?
Central Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula as well as most of Guatemala and El Salvador. All this area is known as Mesoamerica.
Why in Europe do they teach that Mexico is part of south America?
Europeans lump Mexico, Central America, and South America together into what is called Latin America.
What events led to the creation of the Aztec empire?
The Aztec people of northern Mexico, arrived in Mesoamerica in the 1200s. They settled the city of Tenochtitlan and flourished in Mexico until the arrival of Europeans in the 15th century.
How did the arrival of europeans affect the native americans in mexico?
The arrival of the Europeans did not affect the native americans in Mexico.
Who were the first europeans to explore New Mexico?
who were the europeans to explorenew mexico
When did the europeans arrived in America looking for a new route to India?
they arrived in about 1759
