Mecatepec, Mapa de, 1599

This map relates to Mecatepec, a Nahua pueblo that is part of Agualulco in Tabasco. This is near Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz. In fact, there is also a Mecatepec in Veracruz, according to Sherburne F. Cook and Woodrow Borah, Essays in Population History: Mexico and California (Berkeley: University of Calfornia Press, 1979), vol. 3, pp. 106, 109. This region was rich in cacao production, as we see on this map. This map is located in the Tierras collection of the Archivo General de la Nación (AGN), Mexico, vol. 2, expediente 11, f. 7. It measures 31 x 43 cm. Its author is anonymous. It dates from 1599, according to the Catálogo de Ilustraciones, vol. 2, item 528, page 15, of the AGN. (Brief description by Stephanie Wood; map analysis by Amara Solari.)

Title variants: 
Mapa de Mecatepec de los Agualulcos; Guazacualco, Tab.
Principal editor: 
Amara Solari

Transcriptions and Translations

Analytic Transcription English Translation Literal Transcription Spanish Translation Standardized Transcription
Mecatepec, of the of the [aguazulcos], where the member of the clergy resides. mecatepec de los aguasul cos donde rreçide El clerigo Mecatepec de los aguasulcos donde reside el clérigo.
Hot lands that have sixty tributaries. tierra. caliente. tiene. sesenta. tributa[rios] Tierra caliente. Tiene sesenta tributarios.
esta estepuo. deoriente aponiente This pueblo runs from east to west. Está este pueblo de oriente a poniente.
Ocoapa River Rio deocoa[pa] Río de Ocoapa
The Coatzacoalcos route. It is traversed by canoe. camino deguazacualco pasase en canoa camino de Coatzacoalcos pasa se en canoa
Pita (agave). Pita. Pita.
It enters the sea. entra en la mar Entra en la mar.
The lagoon through which the aguasulcos (?) are called. La laguna Pordonde sellaman los aguasulco[s] La laguna por donde se llaman los aguasulcos.
Cacao (or cocoa) lands. tierras de cacao Tierras de cacao.
Water wells. pocos de agua Pozos de agua.