An Ethnobotanical Analysis of Forests and Woodworking in the Florentine Codex

Abstract

This study explores the representation of the natural environment, specifically forests and silviculture, within the 16th-century Florentine Codex (General History of the Things of New Spain) compiled by the Franciscan friar Bernardino de Sahagún and his indigenous collaborators. Although Sahagún’s encyclopedic work is primarily recognized for its ethnographical and religious insights, Book 11 offers a profound scientific treatise on the flora and fauna of the Aztec Empire. The present research analyzes Chapter 6 of this volume, focusing on the morphological descriptions of tree species, their classification in the Nahuatl language, and their diverse practical applications. The findings demonstrate that the Aztecs possessed a sophisticated understanding of timber, utilizing specific wood types for architecture, navigation, medicinal purposes, and ritual ceremonies. Furthermore, the paper highlights how the indigenous naming conventions reflected the functional utility of plants. By examining these historical records, the study contributes to the fields of landscape history and ethnobotany, underscoring the systematic nature of Aztec environmental management and the enduring value of Sahagún’s documentation in understanding Mesoamerican natural heritage.