Heritage threatened by earthquakes and floods in New Spain and its interpretations

Abstract

This paper seeks to identify and understand the different interpretations regarding earthquakes and floods in New Spain.
In those years, cultural heritage assets such as buildings were not considered “heritage”; nonetheless, New Spain’s
constructions were at risk due to natural phenomena. Although the providential interpretation (religious explanation)
of these phenomena was the most prominent, there existed some debates between scientists and representatives of
the Church. Information regarding the ideas related to earthquakes was gathered through different viceregal sources
from the 16th and 17th centuries, particularly from the statements of three spaniards that lived in New Spain: Tomás
López Medel, José de Acosta y Juan Cárdenas. Inhabitants of New Spain’s interest in disasters manifested, at the time,
by mentioning the damage to temples and convents, and in extreme cases, to nobles’ houses. It is never mentioned
whether there were indigenous victims or homes damaged. The concept of victim did not exist. In the 18th century, José
Antonio Alzate y Ramírez provided an interpretation of earthquakes based on the caves of Lucrecio and the enclosed
air of Seneca. The great flood of 1629-1634 in Mexico City, was the turning point that marked the 17th century in terms
of social, religious and scientific interpretations and debates.