A Dutch graphic artist reconstructed Tenochtitlan in 3D (tenochtitlan.thomaskole.nl)

Article summary

A Dutch graphic artist has recreated the ancient city of Tenochtitlan in 3D using historical and archaeological sources. The city, which was the capital of the Aztec empire, was rebuilt from the lake bed by hand and was home to over 200,000 people. The 3D reconstruction shows the city's grid layout, canals, and buildings, including the Sacred Precinct and the palace of Emperor Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin. The project took over 1.5 years to complete and was made possible with the input of several experts.

Main themes

• 3D reconstruction
• Aztec history
• urban planning
• archaeology
• open-source software
• cultural heritage
• historical preservation

What commenters say

• The Spanish conquistadors likely kept the original city's layout and foundations when building their new city, which is why many of the old streets and canals are still visible today.
• The use of open-source software, such as Blender and Gimp, made it possible to create a highly detailed and realistic 3D model of the city.
• The project's attention to detail, including the presence of trees and other environmental features, helps to create a more immersive and realistic experience.
• Some commenters suggested that the project could be improved by adding more interactive features, such as a flyover video or a virtual reality experience.
• The project's creator should make the Blender files available for others to use and learn from.
• The city's original layout and architecture were likely influenced by the need to balance ecological and practical considerations, such as drainage and stability.
• The destruction of the original city and the loss of its cultural heritage are still felt today, and projects like this one help to preserve and promote that heritage.
• The use of artistic license in the project, such as the inclusion of trees and other environmental features, is necessary to create a more engaging and realistic experience, but may not be entirely historically accurate.