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Holocene volcanic eruptions of the Malpaís de Zacapu and its pre-Hispanic settlement history

“…These relatively young ages imply that they were almost certainly witnessed by human populations (Figure 8). According to Faugère (2006), the first human occupation archaeologically recorded near the Zacapu basin dates back to 5000–2000 b.c., near the Lerma river valley to the north. Around 2000 b.c.…”

“…The name Malpaís de Zacapu ( malpaís means “badland” in Spanish, while tzacapu means “stony place” in Purepecha) refers to the lava flow surfaces made of rock fragments mostly devoid of soil, which are unsuitable for agriculture. One particularity of the Malpaís de Zacapu is that its volcanic structures are geologically very young (Mahgoub et al 2018; Reyes-Guzmán et al 2018) and these badlands were inhabited by pre-Hispanic populations during the Milpillas phase ( a.d. 1200–1450; Arnauld and Faugère-Kalfon 1998; Dorison 2019; Faugère 2006; Michelet 1993; Michelet et al 1989; Migeon 2016; Pereira et al 2021; Forest 2023). The Malpaís de Zacapu is defined as a spatiotemporal monogenetic cluster because it is formed by four monogenetic volcanoes that erupted in a restrained area (<40 km 2 ; Figure 4) and over a relatively short period of time (less than 2,500 years; Reyes-Guzmán et al 2018).…”

“…Recent studies (Mahgoub et al 2018; Reyes-Guzmán et al 2018, 2021) have elucidated the age and dynamics of the eruptions, as well as the rheological characteristics of the different lava flows of the Malpaís de Zacapu and their emplacement durations. Here we present a summary of their findings and relate them to the archaeological record to better constrain the periods of occupancy and lifestyle adaptations of the people who lived on the lava surfaces and their surroundings (Arnauld and Faugère-Kalfon 1998; Arnauld et al 1993; Dorison 2019; Faugère 2006; Michelet 1993; Michelet et al 1989; Pereira et al 2021). A better understanding of the relationship between the history of human occupation and the Malpaís de Zacapu eruptions might also be of help in mitigating the impact of future eruptions in this region.…”

Special Section Introduction: Introducing Zacapu archaeology and the Uacusecha project

“…This initiative was less concerned with extending survey coverage (only four new sites were identified) than with developing further questions that had arisen based on earlier survey results. Four themes were developed: The archaic occupation of the region was further documented by the exhaustive excavation of the Los Portales Cave (Mich. 389), where remains of pre-pottery settlement, dated to 5200 to 2000 b.c ., were recovered (Faugère-Kalfon 2006). The settlement patterns in the Lomas area were clarified by the in-depth study of the sites of Loma Alta (Carot et al 1998) and Potrero de Guadalupe (Pereira 1997, 1999).…”

“…The archaic occupation of the region was further documented by the exhaustive excavation of the Los Portales Cave (Mich. 389), where remains of pre-pottery settlement, dated to 5200 to 2000 b.c ., were recovered (Faugère-Kalfon 2006).…”