Assessing the prehispanic settlement of the Lerma Valley during the first millennium: Survey in the floodplain of Tres Mezquites, Michoacán, Mexico

Castañeda, Alejandra; Darras, Véronique; Déodat, Laure

doi:10.1016/j.jaa.2020.101168

Cited by 6 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…An intentional filling would not have dragged everything in its path and washed away architectural elements, destroying the wall coverings as was observed. Second, this black earth deposition is, at first glance, very homogeneous, with few archaeological artifacts, which contrasts with the intentional fillings identified at the same site for older occupation levels and in the excavations of other nearby sites (Castañeda et al, 2020; Darras, 2014). These intentional fillings are characterized by their heterogeneity and abundance of cultural remains and are deposits with fairly consistent thickness and regularity to allow new constructions to take place.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…To estimate the nature and density of pre‐Hispanic settlement in the floodplain and piedmont, specific strategies were adopted including archaeological and paleo‐environmental studies (Castañeda et al, 2020; Darras et al, 2016, 2017). To generate a relevant archaeological map, methods combined survey by satellite images to search anomalies in the landscape to be verified in the field (pedological variations and/or phytographic variations, concentrations of shrub vegetation, etc.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To generate a relevant archaeological map, methods combined survey by satellite images to search anomalies in the landscape to be verified in the field (pedological variations and/or phytographic variations, concentrations of shrub vegetation, etc. ), systematic pedestrian survey utilizing 10‐m‐wide parallel transects and georeferencing of all archaeological features, and surveys with the assistance of local informants (Castañeda et al, 2020; Darras, 2014).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Surveys covered an area of approximately 15 km 2 and led to the identification of 192 archaeological sites distributed between the foothills and the margins of the Lerma River, where a dense network of settlements was located (Castañeda et al, 2020). All sites were in an advanced state of destruction due to modern agriculture and most of them consisted of surface concentrations of ceramic and lithic artifacts, although some sites still had architecture such as pyramidal platforms.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Here, we present the results from soils associated with an archaeological site located in the Lerma valley and occupied during the Classic period (250–600 AD). The region experienced a dense occupation and reached a demographic and cultural peak beginning in the 3rd century AD (Castañeda et al, 2020) and lasting throughout the Classic period through the involvement in the Teotihuacan world system (Jiménez‐Betts, 2018). Despite this stability, the archaeological records sometimes reveal discontinuities in settlement patterns, stratigraphy, and material culture, reflecting possible changes including temporary abandonment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Black clayey soil (Vertisol) in the Lerma valley, Michoacán, North‐Central Mexico: A hint of the environmental and cultural changes during the Late Classic period?

et al. 2021

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Catastrophic events (climatic, tectonic, volcanic, etc.) frequently cause geomorphological instability, which interrupts normal pedogenesis and switches the processes of surface erosion and/or sedimentation. These processes have an effect on the distribution of ancient settlements and can be the cause of the abandonment of cities. In the Lerma Valley, particularly in the Tres Mezquites area, surveys and extensive excavations have been conducted to estimate the nature and density of pre‐Hispanic settlements on the alluvial plain and in the piedmonts. Most of the archaeological structures are covered by dark clayey soils (Vertisols). This includes the PA3_El Pitayo site, where an accumulation of black earth has been detected on the floors and walls of a collapsed building. We have studied in detail the Vertisols and the black earth around the site to establish to what extent this dark earth is an in situ product of the soil‐forming factors, or if its accumulation is due to erosion/sedimentation processes, which could affect the occupation of the site, or the result of anthropic activity for leveling. The Vertisols and the dark earth are characterized by different means (physical, chemical, micromorphology, clay mineralogy, and radiocarbon dating). The results show that both the Vertisols and the black earth are very clayey, with angular blocky structures and slickensides (properties that are typical of vertic soils), and smectite as the main clay mineral. Besides smectite, under the microscope, a high amount of fresh volcanic glass is identified, suggesting that volcanism could be responsible for the abandonment of the study site. However, there are no known volcanic events related to the age of abandonment. As a consequence, we consider that landslides triggered by seismic activity/climatic events impacted the settlement.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Black clayey soil (Vertisol) in the Lerma valley, Michoacán, North‐Central Mexico: A hint of the environmental and cultural changes during the Late Classic period?

et al. 2021

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THE PETATE AND THE COSMIC ORDER: DISCOVERIES FROM A CLASSIC PERIOD RESIDENTIAL GRAVE IN MICHOACÁN, MEXICO

Darras

2021

Ancient Mesoam

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This article explores the symbolism of the petate in light of an unprecedented archaeological discovery. Excavations carried out in a Classic context in northern Michoacán revealed the impression of a petate marking the location of a burial. In addition, the lower section of the burial pit was covered over with andesite slabs, including one with grid-like and spiral incisions. After a brief overview of the ancient and modern uses of the petate and relevant archaeological evidence, I present the data that allow the testing of different hypotheses, in particular the symbolization of power through the petate. Contextual analysis suggests that both the woven mat and the incised slab served as thresholds, if not barriers, between the world of the living and the underworld. I propose that the petate was placed over the grave to serve as a regulator, ensuring that entities were properly separated and that they remained in their respective places. As such, it was an object protecting the cosmic order. I further suggest that the petate may have acted as a temporal gate, guaranteeing the continuous exercise of authority and argue that it was, as a finished object, endowed with power.

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The big picture: Reassessing population estimates and socio-spatial structure at the Zacapu Malpaís urban settlements using LiDAR

Forest

2023

Ancient Mesoam

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Recent research conducted in northern Michoacan, west Mexico, has yielded significant new datasets that can be used to reconsider the occupation of this region in the Postclassic period (a.d. 900–1541), prior to and during the rise of the Tarascan state. LiDAR data, in particular, has facilitated reassessment of the archaeological record and its implications concerning the population and social dynamics of this region. In this article, I combine data collected through traditional field-based research with LiDAR-derived data to reassess the population aggregation that occurred during a.d. 1250–1450 in the Zacapu Basin, resulting in the formation of a large urban system. Compared to prior population estimates and interpretations regarding the urban structure of the Zacapu Malpaís sites, the integration of these datasets enables both an increased scale of analysis and finer resolution, thus providing a clearer picture of one of the earliest episodes of urbanization in west Mexico.

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Assessing the prehispanic settlement of the Lerma Valley during the first millennium: Survey in the floodplain of Tres Mezquites, Michoacán, Mexico

Cited by 6 publications

References 15 publications

Black clayey soil (Vertisol) in the Lerma valley, Michoacán, North‐Central Mexico: A hint of the environmental and cultural changes during the Late Classic period?

Black clayey soil (Vertisol) in the Lerma valley, Michoacán, North‐Central Mexico: A hint of the environmental and cultural changes during the Late Classic period?

THE PETATE AND THE COSMIC ORDER: DISCOVERIES FROM A CLASSIC PERIOD RESIDENTIAL GRAVE IN MICHOACÁN, MEXICO

The big picture: Reassessing population estimates and socio-spatial structure at the Zacapu Malpaís urban settlements using LiDAR

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