Mercado de Tlatelolco: Background, History and Economic Activities

He Tlatelolco market It was a market where the Aztec people attended. It became the largest trade, achieving exchange among thousands of merchants, who met every day to exchange products directly. The location of this market was very close to the temple of major importance for the time.

This temple was called Templo Mayor de Tenochtitlán. Thanks to the Tlatelolco market, the city became one of the most important and visited in the region. Transactions in the market could be done through barter or could be paid with gold, cocoa and copper powders.

Background and history

Tenochtitlán is also known as the twin city of Mexico City. It is located on the lake of Texcoco, specifically on the largest island. Tlatelolco accompanies Tenochtitlán on that same island.

In Tenochtitlán one of the most important temples for Mexica was located. For this reason, and trying to disappear any vestige of the Mexica culture, the conquistadores built a church precisely on the remains of the temple.

An evidence of the intentions of the conquerors to end the Mexica culture was that the church was built precisely with the stones and the remains of the temple that they demolished. With this, they not only sought to destroy the physical temple, but also the Mexican culture, beliefs, customs and rites.

On the other hand, the neighboring city of Tlatelolco aroused the admiration of the invading conquerors. Tlatelolco was a commercial city, where various types of merchandise arrived, both edible and of another category. But in addition, the site served as a meeting, exchange and sale of news, and even space for political alliances.

Upon knowing this city the invaders were amazed. But this astonishment and admiration did not save the city of Tlatelolco from looting and robbery by the invaders.

characteristics

This market was characterized as a meeting place for a large amount of merchandise, but it also served to meet people of different social classes with similar needs.

In many cases the merchandise was acquired through direct barter. In the case of higher value products, payment was made with gold, copper or cocoa powder; These served as local currency.

Fair market

In order to guarantee fair exchange, during the pre-Hispanic era this market came to function under the strict supervision of a group of judges.

These were permanently kept in place to ensure that the products - especially the foodstuffs - had the necessary hygiene. In addition, this group of judges ensured that the exchange was fair for the parties.

Economic activities in the market

People of all social classes came to this market. Like a current mall, Tlatelolco market could go people to buy new products or just to eat. It was even an excellent place to"let yourself be seen"and find a partner.

Organized by areas

The market was arranged according to the type of product to offer. On the one hand there was space for the sale of fresh food products, while on the other there was space for the sale of meat, fish and seafood.

In a secluded way were the stalls for the sale of prepared food, which could be consumed in the same market or later.

In a separate area non-food products such as flowers, fabrics, yarns, fine feathers and other products were sold, as well as luxury products.

A separate area of ​​the market was destined exclusively for the sale of enslaved people; These were acquired as a luxury product. They could be used for the performance of forced labor, servitude or human sacrifice.

There was also an area for the provision of different services, among which was the barbershop.

Strict order

All the areas worked in strict order, which guaranteed that a satisfactory exchange could be held daily for all the parties.

In this market a great diversity of products, sellers and buyers converged. These characteristics made it become the most important exchange center of all Mesoamerica.

Floating Market

Because this market was on an island, the merchandise had to arrive through canoes. The transfer of the products was quite a spectacle, as hundreds of canoes full of flowers, fruits, jewelry and other merchandise were constantly seen.

This spectacle, still valid for the moment of the European invasion, dazzled the conquerors.

Marketed products

Among the products that were exchanged in this market, the following stand out:

- Animal skins.

- Meat, fish and seafood.

- Honey and other sweets.

- Live animals (iguana, rabbit, snakes, monkeys, frog, wild boar, mole, ants, worms, etc.)

- Fine jewelry of gold, silver, nacre and jade.

- Blankets, fabrics and thread.

- Corn tortillas.

- Vegetables

- Herbal medicines.

- Information.

- Enslaved people.

- Vessels for religious or utilitarian purposes.

Importance not only commercial

This market also has a historical importance because of the battle that took place there, starring the Mexica before the invader Cortés. This was a decisive battle and was celebrated on August 13, 1521; The defeated of this confrontation was Cuauhtémoc.

With the fall of the market in European invading hands, the customs of these were transferred to it. Where previously there was justice and harmony, there was then looting and robbery. The invading conquerors swept away fine jewelry, mainly gold.

Journey to the past

Mexico is one of the countries in the region that has developed the most policies to preserve and spread its original culture. The pre-Hispanic market of Tratelolco does not escape this policy.

Therefore, at the National Museum of Anthropology of Mexico, visitors can see a model of this market and imagine how this commercial exchange was carried out.

The model was made by Carmen Antúnez, in order that it serve as an educational tool. In this model the artist represented the exact location that each product had for its commercialization.

References

1. Gallegos, Angel. Guide of specialized tourists and experts in mexica culture. Recovered from: mexicodesconocido.com
2. Kenneth G., Hirth. The prehispanic markets. The economy and trade. Mexican Archeology no. 122
3. Krickeberg, Walter (1961). The ancient Mexican cultures. Fund of Economic Culture.
4. Mursell, Ian. The great market at Tlatelolco. (2016) Retrieved from: mexicolore.co.uk
5. Slim, Carlos. The market of Tlatelolco. Retrieved from: wikimexico.com