Ayrlego
Chinampa Farmers
Chinampas, or 'floating islands' are one of the most well known Aztec agricultural practices. These rectangular artificial islands of arable land were created by by interweaving reeds with stakes beneath the water surface in the shallow waters of a freshwater lake. Then layers of soil and aquatic vegetation were built on top until a layer of soil was visible on the water's surface. With excellent irrigation and abundance of available nutrients, chinampas produced high yields of maize and other crops such as beans, squash, chillis and avocados. Willow trees were planted in the corners of the plots to bind the soil into the lake's bottom over time. The lakes also provided protein in the form of fish and water fowl.
An entry into the farmstead figures category of Brickscalibur. Chinampa design modified from Stefan G here: www.flickr.com/photos/130125244@N05/45414525155/
Chinampa Farmers
Chinampas, or 'floating islands' are one of the most well known Aztec agricultural practices. These rectangular artificial islands of arable land were created by by interweaving reeds with stakes beneath the water surface in the shallow waters of a freshwater lake. Then layers of soil and aquatic vegetation were built on top until a layer of soil was visible on the water's surface. With excellent irrigation and abundance of available nutrients, chinampas produced high yields of maize and other crops such as beans, squash, chillis and avocados. Willow trees were planted in the corners of the plots to bind the soil into the lake's bottom over time. The lakes also provided protein in the form of fish and water fowl.
An entry into the farmstead figures category of Brickscalibur. Chinampa design modified from Stefan G here: www.flickr.com/photos/130125244@N05/45414525155/