Chinampa

A Chinampa is an artificial cultivable surface created in the lake zones of Mésoamérique like Texcoco and Xochimilco. This technique of agriculture used by the Aztec , made it possible to provide for more half of the requirements in food for Tenochtitlán, the large capital of the time. This word comes from the Náhuatl which literally means “place of the fence of cane” ( chinámitl , fence of cane, - side place), i.e. piece of culture. One also speaks about floating Jardins .

Description

The chinampas are appeared as a and canal system artificial islands, generally rectangular, exceeding approximately meter of water surface.

Channels were first of all dug to facilitate the water run-off. One laid out then this mud very rich in nutrients on the island, maintained by a network of branches of cane (snap ring, canes corn) and of foliage. Sowings were then carried out in a mixture of mud and foliage, which were finally deposited on the island. Trees were also planted in order to limit the erosion of the island by water.

The principal cultures were Maïs and Haricot S but one also cultivated Potatoes, lawyer S, Tomate S, Goyave S, Amaranthe S, Piment S, as of the Fleur S which were very much used in the ceremonies.

This technique made it possible to collect four times per annum, by varying sowings and the quantity of water and mud.

Decline

The decline of the chinampas occurred at the time of the arrival at the 16th century of the Spanish Conquistador S which brought novel methods of cultures and animals domesticated, unknown then of Aztec like the Cheval and the Bœuf. Those thus facilitated the transport and the trade of the food which did not need thus more to be produced on the spot.

Today this type of culture practically disappeared. Certain pieces were preserved in the delegation of Xochimilco of Mexico City and from now on are registered on the Liste of the world heritage of UNESCO.

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