Centro Histórico in Ciudad de México, Mexico — The Valley of Mexico (The Central Highlands)
What is the Templo Mayor made of?
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, May 24, 2022
1. What is the Templo Mayor made of? Marker
El Templo Mayor se construyó a base de tierra, cal, arena y piedras volcánicas. La mayor parte de los materiales provenian de lugares cercanos a la ciudad, lo que ahorraba energia y tiempo. Es probable que fueran transportados via lacustre en canoas que podrian haber soportado hasta 1,200 kg de material.
Durante sus casi 200 años de existencia estuvo en renovación constante, siete veces se amplió de forma integral y varias más parcialmente.
Al encontrarse la ciudad en medio de una cuenca volcánica, la mayor parte de sus materiales son piedras de tezontle, basalto, andesitas y calizas. La madera utilizada, de pinos, cedros y ahuejotes, provenia de bosques cercanos.
Por su parte, la cal utilizada en la mezcla para unir las piedras del edificio, así como el acabado de pisos y paredes no se podia encontrar en un contexto volcánico, por lo que debian obtenerla de otros lugares. De acuerdo con estudios recientes, la cal utilizada para el Templo Mayor provenía de Tula, en el actual estado de Hidalgo.
Durante la época de mayor
this page online
Pie de dibujos:
Técnicas constructivas de la pirámide (tomada de López Austin, Alfredo y Leonardo López Luján, Monte sagrado-Templo Mayor, 2009)
Códice Mendoza, Novicio transportando piedra para el arreglo de los templos.
Mapa de los yacimientos de la Cuenca de México (tomado de López Luján, Leonardo Jaime Torres y Aurora Montufar, “Tierra, piedra y madera para el Templo Mayor de Tenochtitlan”, 2003).
What is the Templo Mayor made of?
The Great Temple was built of earth, lime, sand, and volcanic stone. Most of the materials came from places near the city, which saved time and energy. They were probably transported via canoes on the lake that could have carried material weighing up to 1200 kg.
For its almost 200 years of life, the temple was in constant renovation. It was enlarged seven times, in addition to various partial expansions.
Given that the city was built in the middle of a volcanic basin, most of its materials are tezontle, basalt, andesite, and limestone. The wood used included pine, cedar, and Bonpland willow from nearby forests.
The lime used in the mortar to bind the building stones,
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, May 24, 2022
2. What is the Templo Mayor made of? Marker
Next to the marker is an informative board showing the different types of materials mentioned on the marker.
According to historical accounts, at its peak, Tenochtitlan summoned tributary towns to contribute materials and labor for remodeling the temple.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1200.
Location. 19° 26.083′ N, 99° 7.921′ W. Marker is in Ciudad de México. It is in Centro Histórico. Marker can be reached from Seminario, 0.8 kilometers north of Plaza de la Constitución, on the right when traveling north. The marker is on the grounds of the Templo Mayor Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Seminario 8, Ciudad de México 06000, Mexico. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Templo Mayor and its Seven Construction Stages (here, next to this marker); The City of Tenochtitlan (a few steps from this marker); The Cuauhxicalco, Place of the Eagle Vessel (a few steps from this marker); The Sacred Precinct of Mexico-Tenochtitlan (a few steps from this marker); The Sacred Tree (a few steps from this marker); Plaza in Front of the Templo Mayor
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, May 24, 2022
3. Templo Mayor entrance area with markers under a covered walkway
From this viewpoint the marker is under the covered walkway to the west.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2022, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 120 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 8, 2022, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.
