MEXICO CITY.- The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and Iztacalco delegation of Mexico City signed a collaboration and coordination agreement to conserve and divulgate archaeological and historical heritage distributed over the 23 kilometers that integrate this district in the orient of Mexico D.F.
Alfonso de Maria y Campos, INAH general director and Fernando Rosique Castillo, chief of Iztacalco political delegation, signed in July 21st 2009 an agreement in which actions to be taken include “Casa de la Sal” monument cataloguing program and archaeological material exhibition hall creation.
The heavily industrialized and over populated district of Mexico City lodges Colonial constructions linked to chinampas (small artificial islands). Until half 20th century, Iztacalco surrounding territory was used for agriculture.
Iztacalco historical center is integrated by neighborhoods Santa Cruz, La Asuncion, San Miguel, Los Reyes, Zapotla, San Francisco, Xicaltongo and Santiago.
Among the ancient buildings outstand San Matias ex convent and parish and Santa Anita Zacatlalmanco Huehuetl town, with important historic, cultural and architectural values. Cataloguing these and other cultural goods is part of the tasks included in the agreement.
The exhibition hall dedicated to Prehispanic past of Iztacalco will be installed at Siete Barrios House of Culture at La Asuncion neighborhood. Objects exhibited were found within the community.
INAH will provide advisory, staff training and supervise installation processes related to the exhibition hall, in order to fulfill technical and formal requirements.
INAH and Iztacalco political delegation will review, elaborate and execute urban development agenda and boost metropolitan image improvement programs focused in cultural heritage preservation.
“La Casa de la Sal. Monograph, chronicles and legends of Iztacalco” published in 2002 and written by Nayar Rivera, recalls ancient history of Iztacalco, which goes back 700 years, when Mexica established in an island of Texcoco Lake, where they remained 2 years before founding Tenochtitlan.
At the beginning of Colonial age, Iztacalco managed to maintain independent from Spanish administration. “With trades linked to the country environment, community property forms and local cults, they maintained a coherent order that confronted the Spanish city”.
Nayar Rivera points out that in 20th century, when a new urbanism idea was brewing; the city “absorbed surrounding rural areas, towns, fields, chinampas, rivers and terrains that once were part of the lake, then marshes and pastures”.
