Aztec and Mayan Aztec and Mayan Technological Technological InnovationsInnovations

Megan Beaver Megan Beaver

History 27 History 27

ChinampasChinampasChinampas were often called floating gardens Chinampas were often called floating gardens

these artificial gardens were used to grow these artificial gardens were used to grow

crops in the lakes surrounding the ancient crops in the lakes surrounding the ancient

city of Tenochtitlan. The average Chinampas city of Tenochtitlan. The average Chinampas

were about 20 feet wide and 300 feet long. were about 20 feet wide and 300 feet long.

Posts were driven into the lakebed to make the Posts were driven into the lakebed to make the

foundation the rest of the construction consisted foundation the rest of the construction consisted

of weaving sticks and reeds and using mud from of weaving sticks and reeds and using mud from

the bottom of a canal which was a very reliablethe bottom of a canal which was a very reliable

fertilizer. Without this agricultural innovation fertilizer. Without this agricultural innovation

the Aztecs would have had to grow their crops the Aztecs would have had to grow their crops

elsewhere and transport them which could be elsewhere and transport them which could be

problematic. Chinampas were a simple solution problematic. Chinampas were a simple solution

that allowed the Aztecs to thrive. that allowed the Aztecs to thrive.

Mayan Calendar Mayan Calendar The Calendar Round based on two overlappingThe Calendar Round based on two overlapping

annual cycles: a 260-day sacred year and aannual cycles: a 260-day sacred year and a

365-day secular year. Each day was given365-day secular year. Each day was given

identifying a day number and day name in identifying a day number and day name in the the

sacred calendar and a day number and month sacred calendar and a day number and month

name in the secular calendar. Every 52 yearsname in the secular calendar. Every 52 years

counted as a single interval, or Calendar counted as a single interval, or Calendar Round.Round.

After each interval, the calendar would resetAfter each interval, the calendar would reset

itself like a clock. Sounds a little confusing, itself like a clock. Sounds a little confusing,

which is what led to the creation of the Longwhich is what led to the creation of the Long

Count system identified each day by counting Count system identified each day by counting

forward from a fixed date in the distant forward from a fixed date in the distant past.The past.The

Long Count was somewhat similar to Long Count was somewhat similar to

the Calendar Round did having intervals yet the Calendar Round did having intervals yet

there was a difference which was the Grand there was a difference which was the Grand

Cycle which was much longer about 5,139 Cycle which was much longer about 5,139

solar years in total. solar years in total.

Aztec DikesAztec Dikes

The Aztecs were concerned with not only preventing flooding but with keeping their water supply The Aztecs were concerned with not only preventing flooding but with keeping their water supply

protected, this meant preventing the fresh water from lake Texcoco from becoming mixed with the protected, this meant preventing the fresh water from lake Texcoco from becoming mixed with the

Salt Water. Moctezuma I hired Nezahualcoyotl a respected engineer to build the dike. The dike Salt Water. Moctezuma I hired Nezahualcoyotl a respected engineer to build the dike. The dike

spanned ten miles in total the walls were made of wickerwork constructed from sticks, reeds , stones spanned ten miles in total the walls were made of wickerwork constructed from sticks, reeds , stones

and the earth and was twelve feet high and twenty seven feet high. The dike also had doorsand the earth and was twelve feet high and twenty seven feet high. The dike also had doors

to control the flow of the water and was the largest man made earthwork in the Americas. to control the flow of the water and was the largest man made earthwork in the Americas.

Causeways Causeways Causeways were ancient highways with no Causeways were ancient highways with no

horses or mules to aid in transportation. If an horses or mules to aid in transportation. If an

ancient Mayan or Aztec needed to travel he orancient Mayan or Aztec needed to travel he or

she had to walk. Causeways were roads that she had to walk. Causeways were roads that

were raised above the land or water. The were raised above the land or water. The

Mayans built causeways in the Jungle and theMayans built causeways in the Jungle and the

Aztecs built causeways in the water to Aztecs built causeways in the water to connect connect

Tenochititlan to the mainland. This innovation Tenochititlan to the mainland. This innovation

was quite simple but it enabled people to get was quite simple but it enabled people to get

from one place to another with a direct route from one place to another with a direct route

and a clear path. The Mayans main use of the and a clear path. The Mayans main use of the

pathway was to connect the city, parts of the pathway was to connect the city, parts of the

ancient city were now connected and it made ancient city were now connected and it made

accessing these parts of the city in an accessing these parts of the city in an otherwise otherwise

dense jungle much easier. dense jungle much easier.

Sources: Engineering An Empire: The Maya Sources: Engineering An Empire: The Maya

Engineering An Empire: The Aztecs Engineering An Empire: The Aztecs