Portals to the Underworld - Worldbuilding with Mayans
Everyone knows you need to draw rivers on your fantasy map if you want it to be realistic…right? Access to fresh water is necessary for cities and villages to thrive, but did you know that despite the Mayans living in a region where jungles could flourish, the area is nearly devoid of rivers? How could they not only survive, but build one of the most impressive civilizations we only now are beginning to recognize?
Floating Gardens - Worldbuilding with Aztecs
Cities and villages obviously need food to survive, so like the rest of us you’ve probably found yourself drawing the same rows of fields all around your fantasy map for your city or village. But what if you want to create something a little more interesting and make your worldbuilding stand out? It turns out with a little digging, you can find some fascinating and effective methods for farming in unlikely places throughout history. The floating gardens of the Aztecs or “chinampas” are a perfect example.