Aztec Maps a Comparision
Figure 4 shows a 14th-century map found in the lake of Texcoco It is a mapping of Tenochtitlan (Tenochtitlán, 1521, 2017). Dating around 1550, this map was created about three decades after Cortes's conquest of the capital city of Tenochtitlan in 1521 (Tenochtitlán, 1521, 2017). After the conquest of the Spanish, they began to tear down all the buildings that were originally erected by the Aztec empire but kept the street layout as seen in both mappings (Tenochtitlán, 1521, 2017).
Figure 5 shows the new buildings post-Spanish invasion (Tenochtitlán, 1521, 2017).
Both maps provide geographical information surrounding the area, as well as horticultural information about what types of agricultural practices were done during the time and what crops were grown (Tenochtitlán, 1521, 2017).
Comparing the first map (Figure 4) with the second map (Figure 5) it is important to note that Figure 4 maintains topographical integrity. While Figure 5’s integrity is questionable, because of Cortes’ likelihood to embolden his report, especially considering that this letter would go to Emperor Charles V. That said, when cross-referencing these two maps it can be concluded that the maps presented are both an accurate representation of the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan.
