It is a very old roofing method and has been used in both tropical and temperate climates.
Thatched roof aztec.
Much has been made of bernal diaz castillo s first impression of tenochtitlan.
Nobles could lavishly decorate their homes.
Only the nobility were allowed to have two stories.
Poorer aztecs and commoners usually lived in one room homes built of adobe brick and thatched roofs.
There is ample evidence that the mayans incans and the aztec used thatch as a roof covering for both homes and communal buildings.
Lime was also used to whiten the exterior.
Thatch is still employed by builders in developing countries usually with low.
The aztecs used limestone rocks and adobe bricks in their construction.
Since the bulk of the vegetation stays dry and is densely packed trapping air thatching also functions as insulation.
Despite acts of vandalism the interior of this building is still in good condition.
The structures tended to be oval rather than round in shape and the roofs were thatched to keep out the elements.
As commoners were not allowed to do.
Many aztecs whitewashed their homes with lime so the houses would reflect light and stay cool.
Thatch is also a traditional roofing material in many regions of africa as well as in japan and korea.