84-8 The landfills of Tenochtitlan’s sacred precinct, Mexico City: an analysis of provenance and human impact

Session: Geoarchaeology of Sites to Landscapes: Current Research on Long-Term Water and Soil Management and Maladaptation, Part I

Presenting Author:

Elizabeth Solleiro-Rebolledo

Authors:

Solleiro-Rebolledo, Elizabeth¹, Sedov, Sergey², García-Zeferino, Thania³, López-Luján, Leonardo⁴, Pedraza-Rubio, Gerardo⁵, Aguilar, Rodolfo⁶

(1) UNAM, Mexico, Mexico, (2) UNAM, Mexico, Mexico, (3) UNAM, Mexico, Mexico, (4) INAH, Mexico, Mexico, (5) INAH, Mexico, Mexico, (6) INAH, Mexico, Mexico,

Abstract:

The city of Tenochtitlan (Late Postclassic, AD 1200-1521) was constructed on an islet of the Texcoco lake, frequently affected by flooding. Templo Mayor is perhaps the most important building on this site, whose construction occurred during seven phases using different kinds of materials. In this paper, we present the results from operation 44, where 23 samples were taken from landfills, floors, and firms, representing different occupation periods, with diverse kinds of used materials. In addition, the periods of soil formation represented the absence or diminishing of human activities. Here we present the results of the microscopic analyses, with special emphasis on the micromorphology and micromorphometry. We identified as construction materials: 1) volcanic rock fragments (tezontle, scoria, basalt, and andesite); 2) primary (shells) and secondary (pedogenic) carbonates and oolites; 3) diatoms; 4) charcoal and stucco fragments. The presence of a natural soil with strong gleyic features characterized the base of the sequence. A sandy sediment and an offering with child skulls covered this soil. The middle landfills contained abundant oolites and diatoms mixed with charcoal and stucco fragments, reflecting the use of lacustrine sediments together with anthropogenic materials. The upper layers were richer in volcanic elements. The diatoms identified in the record revealed the dominance of freshwater species. These results document natural conditions of the lacustrine environment and the anthropogenic modifications developed during the construction of the site. 

 

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-10196

© Copyright 2025 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved.