Popularly known as the "floating gardens" or the so called chinampas were much more than gardens; they do not actually float as they are artificial islands made by the Aztecs. Sometime around 1150 AD, such technology to build those gardens was devised by and introduced to Mesoamerican cultures in the Valley of Mexico; thereafter the Aztecs quickly secured their place in history with an essential tool of agriculture that will sustain the area's enormous cities that prospered. These days, the chinampas are always associated with the Aztecs, the indigenous cultures of the region who made them a necessary element in supporting big metropolises such as Tenochtitlan.
Making The So-Called Floating Gardens Or Chinampa
The Aztecs would plant stakes in the ground, and then create a woven lattice of wooden strips, commonly known as wattle to make these "floating" gardens in the shallow waters of Lake Texoco. Then this material is going to be used to isolate a plot which measures 30 meters long by 3 meters wide. After the area was fenced off, the lake bed would after that be loaded over with a number of layers of lake sediment, composting vegetation and mud in order to make a super fertile area, right up until it rose above the level of the lake. Often, willow trees are placed along the corners in order to make sure the patch's stability and also to offer an area of shade, even though trees were maintained trimmed to be able to enable adequate sunlight to get through the crops. The several chinampas in a field are usually arranged in a grid and then separated by channels to provide enough space for canoes to pass. The idea that the plots remained just a few feet over the lake's surface presented them the effect of floating over the water, and so gave the name, "floating garden".
Significant Tools Used For Agricultural Activities
The chinampa system was backed up by a complex irrigation network comprised of dams, aqueducts, canals, dams,and sluices. Keeping them fertilized was a crucial process, completed by further composting and through making use of animal and human compost. The plots were looked after by various workers ranging from slaves to manual labourers, who built community plots which usually provide food for the locals of the cities, to "specialist" agriculturalists who projected each growing cycle, alternating crops, determining the weather conditions, and also making a choice on which plants to cultivate on which plots for the very best results. The vast majority of towns surrounding the Lake Texoco and also close by Lake Xochilimco have been dependent on the significant production of the chinampas, that would deliver approximately seven crops within a year. Supplemented by land-based agriculture on the city outskirts, two thirds of the food production of these plots were in fact allocated to the consumption of Tenochtitlan, a city of more than 200,000 people.
Abundant Production
A wide variety of crops on their chinampas are grown by the Aztecs which include staple foods such as maize, beans, and squash which take up the bulk of the plots. They also grow chilies and tomatoes, along with vibrant tropical flowers which contributed to the beauty and magnificence of their metropolitan areas. Sadly, most of the over 9000 hectares of chinampas at Tenochtitlan were filled over and their use decline sharply right after the Spanish invasion of Mesoamerica. Nevertheless, the technology hasn't been destroyed, and in today's times several were left which can be explored by travelers. Visiting Xochimilco can give you the chance see the functional chinampas, and enjoy a leisurely boat trip past examples of the lush, fertile gardens which those times supported the mighty empires of a long gone era.
Looking forward to take a trip to Ruins in Yucatan? If so, then simply make a reservation for a tour to Chichen Itza.
Making The So-Called Floating Gardens Or Chinampa
The Aztecs would plant stakes in the ground, and then create a woven lattice of wooden strips, commonly known as wattle to make these "floating" gardens in the shallow waters of Lake Texoco. Then this material is going to be used to isolate a plot which measures 30 meters long by 3 meters wide. After the area was fenced off, the lake bed would after that be loaded over with a number of layers of lake sediment, composting vegetation and mud in order to make a super fertile area, right up until it rose above the level of the lake. Often, willow trees are placed along the corners in order to make sure the patch's stability and also to offer an area of shade, even though trees were maintained trimmed to be able to enable adequate sunlight to get through the crops. The several chinampas in a field are usually arranged in a grid and then separated by channels to provide enough space for canoes to pass. The idea that the plots remained just a few feet over the lake's surface presented them the effect of floating over the water, and so gave the name, "floating garden".
Significant Tools Used For Agricultural Activities
The chinampa system was backed up by a complex irrigation network comprised of dams, aqueducts, canals, dams,and sluices. Keeping them fertilized was a crucial process, completed by further composting and through making use of animal and human compost. The plots were looked after by various workers ranging from slaves to manual labourers, who built community plots which usually provide food for the locals of the cities, to "specialist" agriculturalists who projected each growing cycle, alternating crops, determining the weather conditions, and also making a choice on which plants to cultivate on which plots for the very best results. The vast majority of towns surrounding the Lake Texoco and also close by Lake Xochilimco have been dependent on the significant production of the chinampas, that would deliver approximately seven crops within a year. Supplemented by land-based agriculture on the city outskirts, two thirds of the food production of these plots were in fact allocated to the consumption of Tenochtitlan, a city of more than 200,000 people.
Abundant Production
A wide variety of crops on their chinampas are grown by the Aztecs which include staple foods such as maize, beans, and squash which take up the bulk of the plots. They also grow chilies and tomatoes, along with vibrant tropical flowers which contributed to the beauty and magnificence of their metropolitan areas. Sadly, most of the over 9000 hectares of chinampas at Tenochtitlan were filled over and their use decline sharply right after the Spanish invasion of Mesoamerica. Nevertheless, the technology hasn't been destroyed, and in today's times several were left which can be explored by travelers. Visiting Xochimilco can give you the chance see the functional chinampas, and enjoy a leisurely boat trip past examples of the lush, fertile gardens which those times supported the mighty empires of a long gone era.
Looking forward to take a trip to Ruins in Yucatan? If so, then simply make a reservation for a tour to Chichen Itza.
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At Onejungle you'll find great info and trips on traveling Mexico and Guatemala. For special Sian Ka'an tours have look at the 3 days Sian Kaan adventure. Just looking for more info on Mexico and it's nature? Check the Mexico travel articles for more.
