The chinampas
Fields built out into the lake, yielding seven harvests a year
See it on the timeline →In depth
The Valley of Mexico held a shallow lake, and the city of Tenochtitlan stood on an island in it. Chinampas are among the most productive agricultural systems known per unit of area, and they fed one of the world's largest cities without draught animals and without the plough. The system needs a stable water level, and the Spanish drainage of the lake — begun to prevent flooding — made it impossible. Remnants survive at Xochimilco. The lowered water table where the lake stood is the main reason Mexico City is sinking today.
For children
Around Tenochtitlan people built plots of farmland out into the shallow lake, from mud and plant matter held in place by willow stakes. The soil was constantly renewed by the water beneath, giving several harvests a year without exhausting itself.
Sources
This event has no source references yet. Do you know where it is well attested — a book, an article, a reference work? We would very much like to hear from you.
Help us with sourcesConnects to
Report a correction
Found something that does not hold? Tell us — sources help, but are not required.
Report a correctionPart of Terra Saga — the story of Earth on a timeline. terrasaga.org ·