TLATELOLCO MARKET: HISTORY AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES - HISTORY - 2025

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

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

Background and history

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

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

One evidence of the conquerors' intentions to end the Mexica culture was that the church was built precisely with the stones and remains of the temple that they demolished. With this they not only sought to end 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, several types of merchandise arrived there, both edible and of another category. But in addition, the site served as a meeting, exchange and sale of news, and even as a space for political alliances.

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

characteristics

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

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

Fair market

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

These were permanently kept on site, ensuring that the products - especially food products - 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 from all social classes came to this market. Like a current shopping center, people could come to the Tlatelolco market to buy new products or just to eat. It was even a great place to "show off" and find a mate.

Organized by areas

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

Separately 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, threads, fine feathers and other products were sold, in addition to luxury products.

An area apart from the market was used exclusively for the sale of enslaved people; These were purchased as a luxury product. They could be used for forced labor, servitude or human sacrifice.

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

Strict order

All areas functioned in strict order, which ensured that a satisfactory exchange could be held daily for all parties.

In this market a great diversity of products, sellers and buyers converge. These characteristics made it become the most important exchange center in all of 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, since hundreds of canoes full of flowers, fruits, jewels and other merchandise were constantly seen passing by.

This spectacle, still in force at the time 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 made of gold, silver, mother of pearl and jade.

- Blankets, fabrics and thread.

- Corn tortillas.

- Vegetables

- Herbal medicines.

- Information.

- Enslaved people.

- Vessels for religious or utilitarian purposes.

Not only commercial importance

This market also has historical importance due to the battle that took place there, carried out by the Mexica against the invader Cortés. This was a decisive battle and was held on August 13, 1521; the defeated in this confrontation was Cuauhtémoc.

With the fall of the market into invading European hands, their customs 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 most developed policies to preserve and spread its native culture. The pre-Hispanic market of Tratelolco does not escape this policy.

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

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

References

1. Gallegos, Angel. Specialized tourist guide and experts in Mexican culture. Recovered from: mexicodesconocido.com
2. Kenneth G., Hirth. Pre-Hispanic markets. The economy and commerce. 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) Recovered from: mexicolore.co.uk
5. Slim, Carlos. The Tlatelolco market. Recovered from: wikimexico.com