In 2023, Dutch software developer Thomas Kole unveiled a "3D reconstruction of the Mexica capital," Mexico-Tenochtitlán — the most detailed image of the ancient city produced in the last five centuries that took a year and a half to complete.
"I thought maybe I could use technology to visualize it, first for myself, and then perhaps for others," said Kole, according to Proceso. Fascinated by historical descriptions of Mexico-Tenochtitlán, he embarked on this endeavor to "bring Tenochtitlan back to life in the most faithful way possible," based on historical and archaeological sources. The reconstruction offers a unique perspective on what the pre-Hispanic metropolis would have looked like.
One of the greatest challenges Kole faced was the scarcity of accurate maps from the era. "You have to reconstruct from more recent material: decades after the conquest if you're lucky, hundreds if not. That's all there is to work with," he pointed out, according to Terra. He noted that many sources contradicted each other, necessitating a careful reconciliation to create a reasonable representation of the city.
Kole focused his efforts on Tenochtitlán and Tlatelolco due to the greater number of available sources. He acknowledged the existence of other cities in the area. "It would be interesting to see reconstructions of other cities, like Iztapalapa or Texcoco, which would be fascinating historical places. But there's even less information about them," he noted.
The images produced by Kole depict large, towering pyramidal structures and Mexica ceremonial centers. "It's fascinating to observe what they invented: their concept of a city, how they organized and distributed it," said Kole. "In many aspects, they reached the same conclusions as elsewhere: power in the center, the rich with larger houses, and the peasants on the farms," he commented.
Mexico-Tenochtitlán, founded by the Mexicas—who migrated from a mythical place called Aztlán—was one of the largest cities in the world at its time and became an urban center over a period of 200 years. The city housed more than 200,000 inhabitants engaged in activities including commerce, agriculture, religion, and war, with thousands of homes and workshops for its population.
A feature of the city was its hydraulic system. The Mexicas had great knowledge about how to use and manage water, which was crucial for their agriculture and in reducing flooding in their city. They implemented a complex system that included canals, dikes, and acequias to control water and avoid floods. According to Proceso, "The Mexicas devised a system of agriculture on chinampas, small islets that provided food self-sufficiency without reliance on the mainland." This technique still survives south of Mexico City, especially in the area of Xochimilco.
Reflecting on the contrast between the ancient city and modern Mexico City, Kole observed the challenges faced today. Five centuries later, Mexico City and its metropolitan area confront serious problems related to water. "Mexico City is a symbol of how one cannot defeat water. It is stronger than us. You can try to dominate it, but you will never defeat it," said Kole. "I believe this is a lesson we also learned in Holland. We learned to accept water and give it the space it needs, creating a healthier environment," he added.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.
