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We often imagine inventors as genius minds in white lab coats, mixing colorful liquids in tiny glass bottles, only to witness a sudden flash of brilliance. Or we think of engineers, tirelessly working with wrenches, while their partners watch, patiently waiting for their breakthrough to improve the combustion engine. However, that is rarely the reality.
In reality, most inventions arise from genuine problems that demand solutions. Modern challenges require innovative answers, a principle that has stood the test of time, dating back to the dawn of civilization. Ancient societies faced their own set of issues, and you'll be amazed by their resourceful and inventive ways of addressing them.
Here are 10 remarkable discoveries made by the Aztecs.
10. Chinampas
As the population expanded, the need for more sophisticated farming techniques grew. Chinampas, a farming method that makes use of artificial floating islands constructed in natural water sources like rivers and streams, emerged as a solution. These islands are highly productive and don't require complicated irrigation systems.
The Aztecs developed chinampas in the 14th century in the Valley of Mexico. The combination of nutrient-rich materials used in their construction, along with easy access to water, allowed for the cultivation of various crops like maize, beans, squash, tomatoes, and chili peppers.
Today, chinampas continue to be a vital food source, producing 40,000 tons annually in one of the world’s most densely populated cities.
9. Gum
While the Mayans technically invented gum, it was the Aztecs who are credited with developing the practical uses that we recognize and appreciate today.
Chicle is a substance derived from the resin of the sapodilla tree, produced through a process that involves extracting the resin by making precise incisions in the tree's bark. The Mayans used it for hydration and to stave off hunger, while the Aztecs discovered its potential to freshen the breath.
The Aztecs imposed strict regulations on the use of chicle, permitting only children and unmarried women to chew it publicly. Married women and widows could only chew it privately to freshen their breath, while men had to chew it discreetly for dental hygiene.
8. Aqueducts
In an era when Europe was ravaged by rat infestations and the Black Death, both consequences of unsanitary conditions, the Aztecs had already found a solution to such health crises.
In the 1300s, recognizing the necessity of a reliable fresh water supply, the Aztecs established an advanced aqueduct system known as the Great Aqueduct (Chapultepec Aqueduct). This infrastructure ensured Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, received a continuous flow of fresh water while also facilitating the removal of waste.
Parts of the aqueduct's construction can still be seen in Mexico City today, a testament to its flawless design. The length of the aqueduct was marked by a wooden path, making it easy to maintain and clean over time.
7. Ball Game
The Aztec ball game was an evolution of the ancient Mesoamerican game, with its roots possibly tracing back to the Olmec civilization. It became an integral part of the Aztec culture, serving not only as entertainment but also holding significant political and religious value.
Played on a tlachtli court, the Aztec ball game was often the first structure built when the Aztecs established a new settlement. The game, known for its difficulty, involved a large rubber ball, and the goal was to pass the ball through a stone hoop without it ever touching the ground.
A contemporary version of the game, called ulama, continues to be played today.
6. Rubber
The ancient Aztecs (and Mayans) are credited with numerous innovations involving rubber, including the creation of the rubber ball used in their famous ball games. They discovered that by blending latex from rubber trees with morning glory vine juice in various proportions, they could produce different results.
The bounce of the rubber ball increased with a higher amount of juice, while the durability and wear resistance improved when less juice was used in the mixture. Modern scientists have since found that by using the right balance of ingredients, they could create a material that was both resilient and long-lasting, suitable for items like sandals.
While only around 100 rubber balls have been uncovered across different sites, it's evident that the Aztecs had perfected the process.
5. Red Dye
Upon meeting the Aztec emperor, Montezuma, the Spanish conquistadors were struck by the striking red color of his robes. Due to the rarity of a reliable red dye source, the Spanish came to associate the color red with both power and royalty.
The Aztecs developed a technique of harvesting, drying, and grinding cochineal insects to produce a red dye that infused textiles and paints with a rich, vibrant red hue that was unlike anything previously known in the world.
The Spanish created a monopoly on drying cochineal in large quantities, and the dye's popularity spread quickly, first through the Roman Empire, where red was used to color the army’s uniforms, and then to the British, who used the color for royal attire to signify their strength and authority.
The tradition of harvesting cochineal continues in parts of Peru and the Canary Islands, where the insects are still collected today.
4. Chocolate
Next time you're feeling down, enjoying a rerun of your favorite show and indulging in your favorite chocolate, take a moment to think about the Aztecs.
While earlier Mesoamerican civilizations may have first discovered cocoa, it was the Aztecs who perfected it and introduced it to the world. Believed to have been a gift from the gods, they consumed their cocoa both hot and cold, often using cocoa beans as currency for trade. It was highly valued.
There are many tales of how cocoa made its way to Europe, but a popular one is that conquistador Hernan Cortes was introduced to this divine treat by the Aztecs. He returned to Spain with cocoa beans, keeping the secret to himself at first, though, as history shows, the secret didn’t stay buried with him.
3. Popcorn
Popcorn, known as totopoca in the Aztec language, gets its name from the sound it makes when the corn kernels pop. It has been around for centuries and served purposes far beyond just movie nights or Netflix and chill.
Popcorn, first discovered along the coast of Peru around 4700 BC, was deeply ingrained in Aztec culture, as integral as ritual sacrifice and vibrant clothing. It played a key role in ceremonies and even inspired a special dance, the 'popcorn dance,' where young women would sway their popcorn garlands to music. Popcorn was a fundamental part of their diet.
Much like it is for many people today, popcorn was a crucial food for the Aztecs. They would cook the kernels over open flames or heat them in hot sand to prepare this cherished snack.
2. Saunas
We often associate saunas and ice baths with modern recovery techniques, but it was the Mesoamerican civilizations, particularly the Aztecs, who truly mastered the art of steam baths.
Temazcal, a sauna built from stone, cement, or volcanic rock in a dome shape, was a common feature in the homes of the more affluent Aztecs. Bathers would carry superheated stones from outdoor fires into the center of the temazcal, then add cold water to generate thick clouds of steam in the confined space.
More advanced temazcals were equipped with a built-in fire chamber, allowing the heat to pass through the walls of the structure, creating a soothing environment that relaxed muscles in the steam-filled space.
1. Antispasmodic Medicine
The Aztecs were known for their diverse medicinal remedies, ranging from treatments for infections to the use of aloe vera for certain skin conditions. However, one of their most notable innovations was the development of an antispasmodic medicine.
This treatment was derived from the passion flower, known for its potential to help with epilepsy, insomnia, and high blood pressure, and the Lippia dulcis, or Aztec sweet herb. The Aztecs used this remedy to relax patients' muscles before surgery and prevent spasms during procedures.
In more recent times, numerous case studies have highlighted the effectiveness of the herbs the Aztecs used in their treatments, with some of these ancient remedies showing promise as potential solutions for modern medical conditions.
