Beneath the bustling Chapultepec Ave., in the heart of Mexico City, a team from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) uncovered the remains of a dock and a navigable canal dating back to pre-Hispanic times at a depth of two meters. This area was once the shoreline of a peninsula located at the foot of Chapulín Hill.
The discovered canal forms part of a hydraulic network mentioned in the renowned Uppsala Map (circa 1550). According to archaeologists, this artificial waterway connected to Lake Texcoco and functioned as a sort of aquatic highway for small boats.
María de Lourdes López Camacho, an INAH researcher and director of the project, noted that the best-preserved segment of the canal, measuring 1.8 meters in width, is located near the Chapultepec Metro station. Here, a natural river was modified across different periods: first as a navigable canal, then as a drainage ditch during the early colonial period, and later, in the 18th century, as part of the Chapultepec aqueduct.
The canal and dock are associated with a pre-Hispanic settlement in the area, previously identified on the grounds of the Secretariat of Health. In this location, researchers found remains of a Late Postclassic dwelling (1200–1521 CE), whose layout suggests a direct connection to the canal.
According to the researchers, the inhabitants accessed the “waterway” via a parallel land path. This integration of terrestrial and aquatic routes was common in pre-Hispanic cities in the Valley of Mexico.
The archaeological team, also led by Liliana Márquez Escoto, has identified several key elements at the site. Among them is a possible dock, whose structure consists of 40 wooden pilings arranged transversely, from which canoes likely arrived and departed toward Lake Texcoco.
The woods used, such as fir and oyamel, are being analyzed by INAH’s Sub-Directorate of Laboratories and Academic Support to determine their origin and precise dating. Additionally, botanical remains, including seeds of quelites, squash, and tomatoes, were recovered in the area, offering clues about the ancient inhabitants’ diet.
Another significant aspect of the discovery is the variety and quantity of cultural materials found. Among the ceramic fragments are Late Postclassic ritual pieces, such as incense burners and decorated vessels, which may have been part of offerings related to the body of water. Early colonial period (1521–1620 CE) artifacts have also been identified, including macuquinas, glazed pottery, and utensils that reflect the cultural transition of the region after the Conquest.
The intensive urbanization of the area since the 19th century has posed challenges to site conservation. However, the discovery of these remains beneath Chapultepec Ave. allows for the reconstruction of part of the Valley of Mexico’s history, from its pre-Hispanic use to its transformation into a modern space. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of “waterways” as vital axes for communities, not only in terms of transportation but also as ritual spaces and hubs of cultural exchange.
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