CUAUTLA.- A team of archaeology students is diving into the history of Cuautla, Morelos, by meticulously mapping the city's ancient water infrastructure. The project, led by Mexico's National School of Anthropology and History (ENAH), is bringing to light a complex network of canals and buildings that once powered the region's life and economy in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Directed by ENAH professor José Antonio Caballero Cárdenas, the initiative is a blend of classroom learning and hands-on archaeology. The students are not only surveying the land but also sifting through historical maps and documents from national archives to piece together a comprehensive picture of the region's past. The project has already proven successful, with students creating 36 detailed plans and 100 technical data sheets in their first season alone.

The team's work is providing new insights into two key historical sites. The first is a magnificent 1,500-meter-long aqueduct from the former Hacienda of the Immaculate Conception of El Hospital. Built by friars in 1680, the aqueduct has seen several additions over the centuries and is believed to have connected to the dams that served the area's vital sugarcane fields.

A second major discovery is the ruins of Cuautla's old hydroelectric plant, which operated from 1903 to 1964. While not as ancient as the aqueduct, the plant is a crucial piece of the city’s industrial history. The team is currently mapping its vast system of feeder canals and pressure tanks, finding a space that has been largely forgotten and is now in a state of disrepair.

Beyond these major finds, the project is also documenting a still-functioning 54-kilometer canal, as well as the historic El Almeal bathing resort—a site that served as a spring feeding the canals and was a stage for battles during the 1812 siege of the city.

The students' efforts are creating a much-needed record of these historical assets, correcting incorrect dates and filling in missing plans for buildings that were never properly documented. The project has also yielded dozens of bags of archaeological materials, including ceramics and metals, which will be analyzed with the help of experts from the INAH Morelos Center.

This long-term initiative is a powerful example of how modern-day fieldwork can unearth the hidden layers of history, offering a new appreciation for the infrastructure that shaped the communities of Cuautla.