Migration and the Coyotlatelco Ceramic Tradition

Abstract

This chapter argues that the Late Classic/Epiclassic ceramic style known as Coyotlatelco has roots in the eastern El Bajío of Near West Mexico. Coyotlatelco became a widespread ceramic tradition in Epiclassic Central Mexico. Its chief defining characteristic is its suite of unsupported and tripod-supported vessels decorated with red-painted geometric designs on plain brown or cream slipped pottery. Ceramic data and radiocarbon dating produced from Tulane University’s Ucareo-Zinapecuaro (U-Z) Project (1989-1995) shed additional light on the ongoing debate regarding whether or not the Coyotlatelco style originates with the native population or if it shows evidence of the migration of non-local people into the central highlands of Mexico. The ceramic chronology for the U-Z source area throughout the Late Formative and Classic periods in NE Michoacan begins a discussion about shared decorative modes among red on brown ceramic types that connect Michoacan with societies in both the El Bajio and the Basin of Mexico regions, including Teotihuacan. The conclusions drawn suggest that the Coyotlatelco ceramic style has deep roots in the pottery traditions of the eastern El Bajio and, given the equally long history of various modes of regional and back migration, there seems little need to look beyond Central Mexico for the origins of Coyotlatleco.

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?

“…It is known that north‐central elite people could have strong links with Teotihuacan. After the decline of the metropolis that began during the mid‐6th century with the burning of the ceremonial center and elite residences (Manzanilla, 2003, 2009), observations indicate a growing presence of groups associated with the Coyotlatelco ceramic complex, groups that are supposed to have come from the Bajío region and Lerma valley (e.g., Hernández & Healan, 2019; Manzanilla, 2005; Solar‐Valverde, 2006). To date, the responsibility of these groups for the decline of Teotihuacan has not been demonstrated, as their arrival and integration, as early as the end of the 6th century, may have been favored by the local socio‐political situation.…”

Refining ceramic chronology and Epiclassic reoccupation at La Ventilla, Teotihuacan using trapezoidal Bayesian modeling

“…The political dissolution of Teotihuacan ushered in the Epiclassic period, and with it, significant changes in settlement patterns and material culture across the basin (Crider et al 2007;Cowgill 2013;Hernández and Healan 2019;Clayton 2020). One of the more apparent changes is the introduction of Coyotlatelco pottery, a distinctive serving ware with red designs painted on a natural buff or brown background (Rattray 1966;Cobean 1990;Gaxiola González 2006;Hernández and Healan 2019; Figure 2). The origin of this ceramic style has interested scholars for many years (Sugiura 2006;Healan 2012;Beekman 2019;Hernández and Healan 2019).…”

“…One of the more apparent changes is the introduction of Coyotlatelco pottery, a distinctive serving ware with red designs painted on a natural buff or brown background (Rattray 1966;Cobean 1990;Gaxiola González 2006;Hernández and Healan 2019; Figure 2). The origin of this ceramic style has interested scholars for many years (Sugiura 2006;Healan 2012;Beekman 2019;Hernández and Healan 2019).…”

“…Others suggest it was introduced into central Mexico by migrants, likely from the Bajío region of west Mexico (Rattray 1966, Braniff Cornejo 1972Mastache and Cobean 1989:65). Others see Coyotlatelco pottery as a hybridization of non-local and central Mexican ceramic traditions (Beekman and Christensen 2003;Manzanilla 2005, 269;Lopez Pérez et al 2006;Sugiura 2006;Hernández and Healan 2019).…”

Ceramic Sequence, Chronology, and Cultural Dynamics of the Ucareo-Zinapécuaro, Michoacán Obsidian Source Area

“…Over the last two decades we have refined the U-Z ceramic sequence, its chronology, and its relationship to other areas through (1) study of a portion of the ceramics from Gorenstein's Acámbaro excavations; (2) comparative study of ceramic collections from neighboring parts of the Bajío and central Mexico; (3) refinements to our cross-dating based on more recently published data from other sites; and (4) radiocarbon dating of 30 contexts associated with the various phases and subphases of the U-Z ceramic sequence. Given its location and the natural east–west route of the Lerma River Valley (Figure 1), it is easy to imagine this part of Near West Mexico as a link between neighboring central Mexico and other parts of West Mexico, and we have encountered significant evidence of interaction with both of these areas, including possible migration (Hernández and Healan 2019).…”