MEXICO CITY.- Chapultepec, a name synonymous with lush greenery and a historic castle in the heart of Mexico City, holds a secret history that stretches back millions of years. Far from just a beautiful park, Chapultepec is a story etched in stone and shaped by water, a story that begins with volcanoes, mammoths, and the rise of a great city.

Before the imposing Chichinautzin mountain range closed off the Valley of Mexico 700,000 years ago, Chapultepec was one of the region's first volcanic cones. This ancient elevation, perched on the edge of a vast lake, became a vital hub for the diverse cultures that called the valley home. And now, thanks to recent discoveries, we're learning even more about Chapultepec's intimate relationship with water.

Archaeologist María de Lourdes López Camacho, speaking at the 60th-anniversary celebration of the Center for Studies of the History of Mexico, shared fascinating insights into Chapultepec's past. She painted a vivid picture of a prehistoric landscape, where mammoths, horses, peccaries, deer, and bison roamed the shores of a vast lake where modern-day Circuito Interior and Paseo de la Reforma intersect. These incredible creatures, drawn to the abundant resources of the area, left their traces behind – remains unearthed during the construction of the Diana Electrical Substation between 2014 and 2015.

But Chapultepec's story isn't just about megafauna. Its natural springs and diverse ecosystem made it an ideal location for human settlement as far back as the Preclassic period (2500-400 BC). López Camacho explained that Chapultepec's significance lay not only in its long occupation but also in its strategic value. Control of this area meant access to crucial resources, both economic and religious, leading to competition and conflict between the various groups in the Valley of Mexico.

The Mexica, who later rose to dominate the valley, claimed in their narratives that Chapultepec was unoccupied when they arrived in 1294 AD. However, López Camacho debunked this myth, emphasizing the hill's long and rich history of human presence.

Recent archaeological discoveries have revealed a complex system of canals built by the ancient inhabitants of Chapultepec. These sophisticated hydraulic works, constructed over different periods, highlight the ingenuity of the people who harnessed the power of water. In 2018, a section of a pre-Hispanic aqueduct was unearthed near "La hondonada," revealing the intricate stonework and mortar used in its construction.

Over time, these pre-Hispanic structures were adapted and expanded. During the colonial era, a European-style aqueduct with hundreds of arches was built upon the original system, supplying water to the growing city. Traces of these later aqueducts can still be seen today, hidden within the foliage of the Chapultepec Forest. López Camacho also mentioned a buried vaulted aqueduct beneath the old road of the Military College, along with other, less visible channels scattered throughout the forest.

These archaeological findings offer a glimpse into the past, inviting us to reconsider our understanding of Chapultepec. It's a place where mammoths once roamed, where ancient civilizations thrived, and where the flow of water shaped the destiny of a city. And, as López Camacho suggests, there are still many more secrets waiting to be uncovered beneath the soil of this iconic landmark.