Archaeologists from Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have uncovered a pre-Hispanic port during a preventive study in the historic center of Mexico City. This significant discovery was made beneath Chapultepec Avenue, revealing that the port was likely situated on the peninsula at the base of Chapulin Hill.
Previously, evidence of a pre-Hispanic settlement and structures from the late Postclassic period (1200-1521 AD) had been found in the area. Excavations revealed remnants of a dock and a canal that once flowed into Lake Texcoco, a natural body of water that was largely drained by early Spanish colonizers to make way for their city.
What remained of the major canal was a smaller stream, which was utilized as a navigable channel for several centuries before being repurposed as a pipeline. In the mid-18th century, it was transformed into an aqueduct that supplied water from the Chapultepec basins to present-day Mexico City.
This now-nonexistent navigable canal is documented in historical texts and depicted on several maps, including the Santa Cruz map, also known as the Uppsala map, created in the mid-16th century. The map illustrates Mexico City as the capital of New Spain, showing the canal used for travel by canoe and small vessels.
Investigations of the port's remains revealed that the canal walls were constructed with wooden piles. In the central area of the dock, archaeologists discovered 40 transverse wooden piles ranging from 40 to 137 centimeters in height. Preliminary analysis indicates these piles were made from fir wood, known for its strength, durability, water resistance, and decay resistance.
Botanical remains include seeds, gastropods, and roots, suggesting that the ancient inhabitants of Mexico City consumed tomatoes and squash. Additionally, archaeologists unearthed ritual ceramics, including incense burners, and early colonial artifacts such as coins and glazed pottery marked with the insignia of hospitals and religious orders.