THE AZTECS 187 



was an important gain because the brackish waters of 

 the lake 1 were not fit to drink. A double water main of 

 terra cotta was laid from the springs to the town. New 

 land was made, probably after the manner still to be 

 seen in the famous floating gardens of Xochimilco by 

 throwing the soil from the bed of the shallow lake into 

 enclosed areas of wattle work. Gradually a Venice- 

 like city, traversed by canals and admirably protected 

 from attack, rose from the lake. At the coming of the 

 Spaniards there were three causeways leading to the 

 shores of the lake and each of these was protected by 

 drawbridges. There was a city wall upon which were 

 lighthouses for the guidance of homecoming fishermen. 

 There were palaces and market places and a great 

 central plaza called the Tecpan, where were situated the 

 principal temples. 



The Spaniards destroyed the ancient city, blocking up 

 the canals with the debris of temples, and building the 

 new City of Mexico over the leveled ruins. Ancient relics 

 are brought to light wherever excavations are made. In 

 1900 many sculptures and ceremonial objects were un- 

 covered in Escalerillas street near the Cathedral. 

 Recently a building near the National Museum was 

 torn down for replacement and in digging for new 

 foundations part of the base of the great pyramid was 

 found. This had been enlarged several times, as could 

 be seen by the stairways successively buried under new 

 walls. At the bottom of the balustrade of one stairway 

 a great serpent head of stone was found in its original 

 position (Plate XXXIX). 



The Aztecs count their history as a great people 

 from their first war chief Acamapichtli who commenced 

 his rule in 1376 ( Codex Aubin). The names and the 



