Cambridge University Press Latin American Antiquity

Mortuary Patterns of Regional Elites in the Lake Patzcuaro Basin of Western Mexico
Author(s): Helen Perlstein Pollard and Laura Cahue

Source: Latin American Antiquity, Vol. 10, No. 3 (Sep., 1999), pp. 259-280
Published by: Cambridge University Press
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/972030
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MORTUARY PATTERNS OF REGIONAL ELITES IN 1 HE LAKE

PATZCUARO BASIN OF WESTERN MEXICO
Helen Perlstein Pollard and Laura Cahue
Based primarily upon evidence from the site of Urichu in the Lake Patzcuaro Basin of Michoaca'n, we propose that changes in
the burial practices of local elites document a transformation of these elites from highly ranked local chiefs into a socially strat-
ified elite class associated with the emergence of the Tarascan state. Two distinctive mortuary patterns that represent the Clas-
sic-Epiclassic and Late Postclassic periods are presented. These patterns vary in the age and sex composition of differing mortuary
facilities, the preparation and treatment of the bodies, the mortuary facilities, the types of burial goods, and the location of the
burials within settlements. Comparison to mortuary practices from the sites of Loma Santa Marfa (Morelia), Guadalupe (Zacapu
Basin), Tingambato, and Tres Cerritos (Cuitzeo Basin) place these patterns in a regional context. By contrasting the earlier
mortuary pattern, which is associated with societies poorly known, with the later mortuary pattern, which is associated with
the well documented Tarascan empire, it is possible to propose a model of a transformation in regional political economies
associated with the emergence of the Tarascan state in the Postclassic period. This transformation involved a shift in elite iden-
tity from one primarily associated with imported finished goods from distant powerful centers and control of prestige goods
networks, to an identity primarily associated with locally produced, distinctively Tarascan, goods and control of tributary, mil-
itary, political, and ideological networks.
Basandose principalmente en la evidencia proveniente del sitio de Urichu, localizado dentro de la cuenca del lago de Patzcuaro,
aquf se propone que cambios en las practicas mortuorias de la e'lite local, documentan su transformacion de jefes locales de rango
altamente graduado, a una clase de e'lite con estratificacio'n social asociada con el surgimento del Estado tarasco. Se presentan
dos patrones mortuorios distintivos que representan los perfodos Clasico-Epicla'sico y Poscla'sico tardfo. Estos patrones varfan
en la composicion por edad y sexo de diferentes tipos de entierros, la preparacion y el tratamiento de los cuerpos, el tipo de envase,
los tipos de of rendas, y la localizacion de los entierros dentro de las asentamientos. Una comparacion con los sitios de Loma Santa
Marfa (Morelia), Guadalupe (la cuenca de Zacapu), Tingambato, y Tres Cerritos (la cuenca de Cuitzeo) servira para situar los
patrones mortuorios dentro de un contexto regional. Contrastando el patron mortuorio mas temprano que es asociado con
sociedades mal conocidas, con el patron mortuorio posterior asociado con el Imperio tarasco bien documentado, es posible pro-
poner un mode lo de una transfo rmacio'n en las economfas polfticas regionales asociado con e l su rg imiento de l Estado tarasco en
el perfodo Poscla'sico. Esta transformacion involucra un cambio en identidad de la e'lite de una principalmente asociada con obje-
tos importados de los centros poderosos distantes y el control de una red de bienes de prestigio, a una identidad principalmente
asociada con objetos producidos localmente, de tipo distintamente tarasco, y el control de redes tributarias, militare, polfticas, e
ideologicas.
r | ahe prehistory of western Mexico is best research strategy and the use of mortuary evidence
| known for the characteristic mortuary pat- has been unsystematic and often unpublished (Pol-
1 terns of the shaft tombs of the Teuchitlan tra- lard 1993; Williams 1993)1 . Based upon recent
dition centered in Jalisco during the Preclassic and research within the Lake Patzcuaro Basin, we can
Classic periods. Indeed, much of our knowledge of document two distinctive mortuary patterns of local
this region comes from the archaeology of burial elites, one dating to the Classic and Epiclassic peri-
assemblages. The same cannot be said for ods and the other dating to the Late Postclassic
Michoacan, where the ethnohistoric record of the period. In this report, we will describe the two mor-
Tarascan Empire has dominated archaeological tuary patterns and the ways they may illuminate the
Helen Perlstein Pollard and Laura Cahue * Department of Anthropology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
48824
Latin American Antiquity, 10(3), 1999, pp. 259-280

Copyright C) 1999 by the Society for American Archaeology
259
260 LATIN AMERICAN ANTIQUITY [Vol. 10, No. 3, 1999]
Figure ?. Western Mexico with major sites referenced in the text. The shaded area indicates the extent of the Tarascan
empire In 1521.
s - / /
a /1
i,$
2 df Pechaial
'
* Patzcuaro
, A
;-j\w} C-A- A a./

.
Figure 2. The Lake Patzcuaro Basin. Tarascan administrative centers, including Urichu, are indicated. The current dis-
tribution of agricultural land is included to highlight proximity to lacustrine and terrestrial resources. Class 1 land
includes permanently or seasonally irrigated land; class 2 land includes the alluvial floor of the basin used for rainfall
agriculture (and the upland alluvium around Pechataro); class 3 land includes the thin mountainous soils covered by
pine-oak forest and the upper alluvial slopes of lower agricultural fertility (Pollard 1993: 63-77).
REPORTS
261
processes that transformed the political economies included surface survey and mapping, test excava-
of central Michoacan when the centralized Tarascan tions in three areas of the site, and laboratory analy-
state emerged. sis of the artifacts and human skeletal remains.
Mortuary evidence has long served as a signifi- The first field season (1990) began with a sys-
cant source of information about past social systems tematic surface survey of Urichu. It is located on the
(e.g., O'Shea 1984). Changes in mortuary patterns northwest portion of a lava flow (malpais) south of
are commonly assumed to reflect changes in those the modern town of San Francisco Uricho. The site
social systems. The two mortuary patterns isolated was divided into eight areas (with a ninth area defined
from central Michoacan elite burials include differ- in 1996), based upon differences in topography and
ences in biological characteristics of the dead, prepa- archaeological surface remains (Figure 3). A topo-
ration and treatment of the bodies, the mortuary graphic map was prepared using available aerial pho-
facilities, the burial furnishings, and the location of tographs (1 : 50,000,1: 10,000) and topographic maps
the burials within elite residences. The later mortu- (1:50,000) fromDETENAL (1973,1977). Duetothe
ary pattern, because it is associated with local elites time available and the goals of the project, 10 test
living in the core of the Tarascan empire, can be pits were excavated in three areas of the site.
directly related to our understanding of the Tarascan During the second and third field seasons (1991,
social system and political economy. Prior to the 1992), the stone (obsidian, basalt, quartz) artifacts,
emergence of the Tarascan state, the earlier mortu- shell, metal, ceramics, and human and animal skele-
ary pattern was associated with local elites. By focus- tal remains were analyzed. In 1994 and 1995, block
ing on the similarities and differences between these excavations (10 x 6 m) were excavated in two areas
two patterns, we propose a model of the distinctive of the site and a third block was begun in another
social systems and political economies that domi- area. To date, 17 radiocarbon samples have been
nated central Michoacan before the Tarascan state. processed from the site, spanning the Classic, Epi-
Specifically, based primarily upon evidence from classic, and Postclassic periods (Tables 1 and 2, and
the site of Urichu in the Lake Patzcuaro Basin of Figure 4).
Michoacan, we propose that changes in the burial Urichu covers more than 90 ha and contains at
practices of local elites document a transformation least three public zones with pyramid-plaza com-
of these elites from highly ranked local chiefs into a plexes, deeply stratified cultural deposits, and intact
socially stratified elite class during the Early and human burials. There is evidence of occupation at
Middle Postclassic periods. the northern (lakeside) end of the site during the
Classic period (Area 1), and of a series of artificial
Urichu
terraces at the southern end of the site (Area 5) dur-
At the time of European contact, western Mesoamer-ing the Classic and Epiclassic periods. At least one
ica was politically dominated by the Tarascan empire
area of the site was occupied during the Early Post-
(Figure 1). The emergence of the empire appears classic
to period (Area 5), one area during the Middle
have occurred during the Postclassic period (A.D.Postclassic (Area 2), and most of the site was occu-
90s1520) among populations of the central high- pied during the Late Postclassic (with excavated sam-
lands of Michoacan. At this time, previously ples fromAreas 1,2, and 5). These areas are located
autonomous communities were politically unified between 2080 to 2120 m asl overlooking a small val-
and the Lake Patzcuaro Basin was transformed intoley and stream that flows through the modern town
the geopolitical core of an expanding empire (Fig-
of San Francisco Uricho and empties into the lake.
ure 2). As part of a larger project designed to evalu-To date, the project has obtained the following mate-
ate the historical and evolutionary context out ofrial from stratified deposits: 133,868 ceramic arti-
which the empire was formed, excavations were con-
facts; 14,288 basalt artifacts; 4,209 obsidian artifacts;
ducted at Urichu from 1990 to 1995 (see Figure 2). 68 shell artifacts; 30 artifacts of bone, turquoise,
Urichu was selected for investigation from among jadite, quartz, etc.; 34 metal (primarily bronze) arti-
the 10 Protohistoric administrative centers that were
facts; animal bone; 33 human burials and disarticu-
ethnohistorically documented to have been centers lated human remains (with MNI = 40); and mineral,
of elites prior to the consolidation of the Tarascansoil, and flotation samples; project staff also has
state (Gorenstein and Pollard 1983). The researchrecorded six petroglyphs (Pollard 1996). While all
Figure 3. The archaeological site of Urichu. Numbers within the site limits refer to designated areas of the site refer-
enced in the text. Shading indicates relative surface artifact density. Surface architecture includes visible terraced plat-
forms, pyramids, and rooms. The remains of the sixteenth-century chapel and two bedrock petroglyphs also are
indicated on the map.
these materials remain under analysis, some clear age and type of construction. Fourteen contiguous
patterns already have emerged. 2-x-2-m pits were located on the north side of two
pyramids at the eastern end of this platform. The
Late Postclassic Elite Burials
pyramids are rectangular rubble-core stone mounds
Ihe Late Postclassic burials were found in Area 1, similar to others found at Tarascan ritual/adminis-
where five test pits were initially excavated. One pittrative centers.
was placed in the center of the major platform to The excavations partially exposed a residen-
determine the depth of the platform surface and its tiaVadministrative structure containing at least three
sequential clay floors, all dating to the Late Post-
Table 1. Phases Represented at Urichu.
classic period (A.D. 1350-1525). The structure
Period Local Phase

includes both enclosed rooms with red clay floors
Late Postclassic Tariacuri A.D. 1350-1525 and at least one paved patio area. Ceramic and lithic
Middle Postclassic Late Urichu A.D. 1100-1350 remains of domestic activities, including mano and
Early Postclassic Early Urichu A.D. 900\1000-1100 metate fragments, ash concentrations, and cooking
Epiclassic Lupe-LaJoya A.D. 600-900\1000
vessels, indicate a residential function for the build-
Classic LomaAlta 3/ A.D. 350-600
Jaracuaro
ing. The administrative function is suggested by the
Note: Phase dates are tentative, pending completion of the location of the structure adjacent to the largest dou-
current research. Tariacuri was defined in 1972 (Pollard ble pyramid in the Tariacuri phase settlement, the
1993), based upon material from Tzintzuntzan; Urichu is
location of Area 1 adjacent to the Prehispanic/Colo-
based on current project; Lupe, La Joya, Loma Alta, and
Jaracuaro are based on the Zacapu project 1983- 1987 nial road running along the northern edge of the site,
(Michelet et al. 1989). the proximity of this building-pyramid complex to
roUEtv l
Table 2: Radiocarbon Dates from Urichu, Michoacan.
13n /12n
Lab no. Cal Intercept 1 Sigma (68%) Locationa 2 Sigma (95%)
B-102799 690 + 100 -25.0 1295 1262-1398 l-NllE7 level 4-7 1 168-1434
B- 102802 1600 + 40 -22.7 440 420-535 l-N12E7 level 17-18 395-560
B- 102803 1670 + 40 -24.2 405 370-425 l-NllE5 level 22 265-290 and 320
14C Asye
B-106172 1700 + 50 -24.2 380 265-290/320-415 l-NlOE6 level 15 240-440
B-39996 510 + 80 -25.0 1426 1398-1449 2-1 level 8 1300-1621

B-106170 530 + 50 -26.6 1420 1400-1435 2-1 level 11 1310-1355/1385-
B-50863 1090 + 60 972,978 890-1014 5-1 level 12 B.13b 819-843 and 857
-25.0
B-50864 1210 + 90 821,840,860 689-961 5-1 level 12 B.13b 656- 1014
-25.0
B-39998 280+50 1647 1525- 1663 5-2 level 11 1481-1954
-25.0
B-39999 3190+90 1436 BC 1523bc- 1328bc 5-2 levels 16-17 1675bc- 1226bc
-25.0
B-76923 1070+70 990 895-1020 5-N1E3 level 5B 855-1055 and 10
-25.0
B-78222 1160 + 80 885 785-985 5-N2E1 level 7 8b 685- 1020
-25.0
B-76926 1150+70 890 800-985 5-N5E2 level 13 705-1020
-25.0
B-76927 1340+80 675 645-775 5-N5E3 level 12 590-880
-25.0
B-106171 1400 + 40 650 635-665 5-N3E3 level 10 605-685
-26. 1
B-76928 1590+90 450 395-590 5-N4E1 level 14 250-650
-25.0
B-76929 1600+70 440 405-555 5-N2E1 level 14Bb 330-620
-25.0
Note: All dates were processed by Beta Analytic Inc. Calibrations were done using the University of Washington, Quaternary Isotope L
Rev. 3c. Dates with B-76 and greater numbers were calibrated by Beta Analytic Inc. using the 1993 correction program.
a The first number indicates the area of the site, the second the excavation unit within the area, and the last the level (in 10 cm intervals) f
b Location is within Tomb 1.
LATIN AMERICAN ANTIQUITY
264 [Vol. 10, No. 3, 1999]
B-39998
B-39996
+
B-106170
+
B- 1 02799
+
B-76923 +
B-50863 +
B-50864 +
B-76926 +
B-76927 +
B-106171 +
B-76928 +
B-76929
B-102802 +
B- 1 02803 - - - - - - - +
B-106172 - - - - - - - - +
B-39999 --------+\
1600 1200\0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
cal BC cal AD
Figure 4. Radiocarbon dates from Urichu, Michoacan. All dates

were done using the University of Washington, Quaternary Isotope Lab, Radiocarbon Calibration Program 1993, Rev.
3c. Dates with B-76 and greater numbers were calibrated by Beta Analytic Inc. using the 1993 correction program.
URICHU
AREA 1
1990 and 1995
SEASONS
B2
B1
N1
l l l
0 1 m 2m
B6a_
B4_
Jw B3
Urichu Area 1
Figure 5. Location of Tariacuri-phase burials excavated within a residential structure in Area 1, Urichu. Dark shading
represents the burial pit; light shading represents stone walls.
REPORTS 265
Figure 6. Burial 5, Tariacuri phase.
the sixteenth-century Spanish chapel on the site There is evidence that the Late Postclassic elite
(Area 6), the presence of elite bunals, and especially,residence in Area 1 represents a reoccupation of this
the presence of an adult male burial with a lip plug. part of the site, as a building constructed of large
Only office holders were permitted to wear lip plugsadobes was located below the Late Postclassic
in the Tarascan state (Pollard 1993: 124; Relacaon masonry structure. Occupation of this lower build-
de Machoacan 1956: 201-202 [1541], 1980: ing has recently been dated to the Classic period
252-253). (A.D.30(}500), and is the earliest occupation known
Several intact elite burials were excavated in at
thethe site (see Figure 4 and Table 2, B-102802, B-
walls, floors, and outside this structure (Figures 5102803,
and B-106172).
6). The burials contain significant quantities of grave
Materials providing additional context for the
goods associated with high social status (bronze Late
arti-Postclassic burials were obtained in Area 2,
facts, polychrome ceramic vessels, carved bone)whereand three test pits and a partial block excavation
gender identification (spinning and weaving tools,
were excavated.2 Area 2 is a small, artificially ter-
knives and projectile points, and ceramic vesselsraced
that hill with large retaining walls separating the
can be correlated with the independent sex identifi-
levels of the terraces. There are no visible structures
cation of the skeletal remains). In this administrative
in this area, but it has the highest surface artifact den-
center controlled by the centralized Tarascan state,
sity of the entire site. The first test pit contained
the definition of elite material culture has been almost
made three meters of stratified deposits. Based upon
possible by these excavations (Figures 7 and 8). the artifactual and soil analyses, it is believed to rep-
Figure 7. Grave goods, Burial 8, Tariacuri phase [front row: 3 metal rings, 3 ceramic bird figurines, 3 ceramic spindle
whorls, 8 ceramic beads; center row: 1 basalt polisher, 1 shell pendant, 2 bone batons (1 engraved deer bone, 1 human
bone), 60 ceramic beads; back row: 7 miniature ceramic vessels].
resent three layers of cultural deposits: 1) a residen-

tial deposit (probably of commoners) dating to the
Middle Postclassic, which included disarticulated
human remains of two individuals (Tables 3 and 4);
2) a residential deposit with a series of clay floors
dating to the Late Postclassic; and 3) a residential
midden above a red clay floor dating to the sixteenth
century in the upper levels. Through the deposits in
Area 2, commoner material culture dating to the
period before, during, and after the formation of the
Tarascan state has been defined.
Classic-Epiclassic Period Elite Burials
Area 5 is the furthest south along the lava flow on

which the site is located. It consists of artificially ter-
raced slopes separated by large retaining walls. Sur-
face artifact density is generally very high in this area.
On the one terrace that contains two (possibly three)
pyramid platforms, two test pits were excavated in
1990. One structure visible on this terrace appears
to be a small version of the characteristic, keyhole-
shaped ceremonial pyramid platforms known in
Tarascan as yaocata, which were devoted to the Taras-
can patron deity Curicaueri. The two test pits were
, ,.gEX : . : Z
located adjacent to this structure. In 1994, a block
(10 x 6 m) was excavated in the terrace, incorporat-
ing one of the test pits in which part of a formal tomb
Figur
rings,
was found. In the upper levels of all units were
REPORTS 267
Table 3. Age Distribution of Urichu Skeletal Population.
Area 1 Area 2a Area 5 Total

SAd AO Ad SAd AO Ad SAd AO Ad
Late Postclassic 2 1 18 21
Middle Postclassic 1 1 2
Early Postclassic/ 2 2 3 7
Epiclassic
Epiclassic 2 2 4
Classic 1 5 6
Total 2 1 18 1 1 0 5 2 10 40
Note: SAd= Subadult; AO= Adolescent; Ad= Adult.
a The human bone from Area 2 came from Test Pit 1 within a midden deposit. No burial features were located and the bone
was retrieved in the screens.
ceramic pipes, obsidian prismatic blades, and poly- the roof and adding a niche in the south wall. The
chrome pottery (e.g., miniature tripod bowls) indica- body was not in the same east-west alignment as
tive of ritual associated with Tarascan state religion Burials 13 and 14, but was placed with the head fac-
as revealed in the Tarascan capital during the Proto- ing southwest and the body extended with the feet
historic period (Pollard 1993). Below a rock pave- in the niche, resting 10 cm above the top of Burials
ment was secondary fill dating to the Early 13 and 14. It is not known why this individual, whose
Postclassic (ca. A.D. 90>1000). This fill was over- ceramic grave goods are identical in style to those
lying a primary deposit consisting of a series of sealed
of Burial 13, was not placed in the tomb by using
floors dating from A.D. 50>900, the Late Classic the entrance and stairs.
and Epiclassic periods. The remaining seven individuals from the tomb
A sealed stone-lined tomb containing 10 indi- had been placed there before Burials 13 and 14, and
viduals and 87 grave goods (Figures 9 and 10) was in the process of depositing later bodies these ear-
found below the floors of the latter elite residential lier burials had been disturbed. Burials 15, 18, and
structure, partially excavated into the terrace 19 consist of human bone clusters under fallen lajas
bedrock. Three of the individuals were relatively from the roof, and rested just above the floor of the
undisturbed and in extended burial position (Buri- tomb. Grave goods associated with these burials had
als 12, 13, and 14). Burials 13 and 14 rested on the been disturbed by the continual use of the tomb and
floor of the tomb; two radiocarbon dates from ash the roof fall, but may have included the several pro-
associated with Burial 13 place these burials in the jectile points found on the tomb steps and/or unas-
A.D. 80(}1000 range (Figure 4 and Table 2). A sep- sociated artifacts on the floor of the tomb (Table 5).
arate date from just under the roof of the tomb has Burial 21 also was a human bone concentration, but
a similar range (Figure 4, B-78222). Two of these it rested on the floor of the tomb in the southwest
three dates have their intercepts in the late A.D. corner and appears to have remained relatively undis-
800s, and the associated cultural remains are Lupe- turbed by the later placement of Burials 12, 13, and
La Joya. The last individual to be buried here, Bur- 14. In direct association with Burial 21 were fourves-
ial 12, was placed in the tomb by breaking through sels (see Figure 10) and a radiocarbon sample of
Table 4. Sex Distribution of Urichu Adult and Adolescent Skeletal Population.
Area 1 Area 2a Area 5

M F ? M F ? M F ?
Late Postclassic 10 6 3
Middle Postclassic 1
Early-Postclassic / Epiclassic 3 3
Epiclassic 1
Classic 4 1
M= male
F= female
?= not assigned
a The human bone from Area 2 came from Test Pit 1 within a midden deposit. No burial features were located and the bone
was retrieved in the screens.
t I 1 1:
II LATIN AMERICAN ANTIQUITY
268 [Vol. 10, No. 3, 1999]
URICHU a
TERRACE 1 @ B25
1994 SEASON Q f
°aG
oa
oo
Tomb 1
<5p B16 3
o 1m
Figure 9. Location of Jaracuaro and Lupe-La Joya ph

ing indicates each burial; lighter shading represents
23 had been placed is the eastern wall of a structure
14, 15, 18, 19, and 21 were placed within a stone-lin
REPORTS 269
URICHU LEGEND
AREA 5
^ Projectile Point * Jar
TERRACE 1
N TOMB 1 \ Prismatic BJade * Bowl
BURIALS 13,14, 21
lN Turquoise / Flute
* Jarwith Hematite o Shell
o 1 m
Figure 10. Plan of human bone and gra

Urichu. Entrance to the tomb was by m
to 100 cm high. The shaded area within
placed).
charcoal dated toA.D. 405-555 (Figure 4 B-76929). culture for the Classic and Epiclassic periods (Fig-
Two of the vessels are Loma Alta Pulido: Cafe ures 1 1 and 12).
(Arnauld et al. 1993), a type associated with the
The Human Skeletal Remains
Jaracuaro phase. This date is matched by a similar
one for Burial 25 (Figure 4? B-76928), which was The human skeletal remains from Urichu consist of
located under the lowest floor of the house and rest-
33 discrete burials and several disarticulatedS iso-
ing on the bedrock. lated remainsS representing a minimum of 40 indi-
The residence and midden associated with the viduals (MNI = 40). The burials show a clear
tomb have yielded comparable radiocarbon dates temporal shift in mode of interment. During the Clas-
and material culture that span the centuries of the sic and the Early Postclassic (Area 5), individuals
Jaracuaro and Lupe phases from the A.D. 400s to were buried in extended, supine position in tombs
900s (see Figure 4 and Table 2). However, the reuse (Figure 10) and stone cists (Figure 13), but by the
of the tomb over time makes it impossible to tell Late Postclassic (Area 1), individuals were buried in
whether Burials 15, 18, and 19 were deposited (1) stone-lined pits in a flexed position (Figure 6), or sim-
close to the time of the Burial 21 interment (Jaracuaro
ple direct pits in a bundled, tightly flexed manner.3
phase), (2) close to the interments of Burials 12, 13, The age and sex of the human .skeletal remains
and 14 (Lupe phase) or (3) intermittently through- were tentatively assessed at the end of each field sea-
out the centuries. Nevertheless, the materials exca- son, and revised during the 1996 field season by L.
vated from this tomb and the residence associated Cahue and N. Sauer.4Age estimates were determined
with it have allowed the definition of elite material primarily by examination of the degree of wear on
AT_. A 1 ____: z:Cs t_ _ !____1 ! t_ _11_ ] 1 . Z . s .-rs ^ ^ . ^ . ^ . . .
Table 5. Classic-Epiclassic Peridd Grave Goods at Urichu (Area 5).
Buxial no. Artifacts Source Manufacture

12 (Tomb 1) 2 ceramic jars (no supports) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
(Adult, female) S ceramic tipod bowls (3 resist polychrome) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
13 (Tomb 1) 1 basalt projectile point Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
(Adolescent, ?) 1 quartzite point Michoacan (probably Balsas Basin) Patzcuaro Basin
3 gray-black obsidian points/knives 2 Ucareo, 1 C. Varal (Zinaparo)e source or Urichu
1 black prismaiic blade Zacualtipan, Hgoa Zacualtipan, Hgo
3 green prismaiic blades Pachucaa Pachuca
1 polished greenstone axe Michoacan (probably Balsas Basin) prob. Balsas Basin
9 shell artifacts (plaques, bracelets) S Pacific; 1 Adanbc; 2 malineb unknown
1 bluestone plaque 1 turquoise-Cerrillos,N.M.?C unknown
6 ceramic jars (no supports) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
9 ceramic tripod bowls Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
(7 resist polychrome)
1 coyote panel tripod bowl (resist) Guanajuato ? import
1 ceramic censer (redJcream) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
(Terminal Corral/Tollan type)
1 ceramic stamp (flat) unknown unknown
3 ceramic flutes (blue+negative on red) central Mexico? unknown

1 minijar filled with ground hematited not Patzcuaro Basin not Patzcuaro Basin
fish (bones and scales in 3 tripod bowls) Lake Patzcuaro (ttiru)b Lake Patzcuaro
14 (Tomb 1) 1 basalt projectile point/lQnife Patzcuaro Basin (probably Urichu) Patzcuaro Basin
(Adult, male) 4 gray-black obsidian points/knives 2 C. Varal, 2 C. Prieto (Zinaparo)e source or Urichu
2 black prismatic blades Ucareoe source or Urichu
8 green prismatic blades Pachucaa Pachuca
1 shell artifact not identifiableb unknown
15 (Tomb 1) 1 bluestone bead 1 turquoise-Cerrillos,N.M.?a import
(Adult7 male)
18 (Tomb 1) 1 worked bone (cut and polished) nonhuman, unidentifiableb Urichu
(1 Adult, female;
1 adolescent male)
19 (Tomb 1) None
(2 Adult7 male)
21 (Tomb 1) 1 ceramic bowl (no supports) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
(2 Adult, male) 3 ceramic tripod bowls (2 resist) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
fish (bones and scales in 1 wipod bowl) Lake Patzcuaro (ttiru)b Lake Patzcuaro
Tomb Steps 4 rose color quartzite points Michoacan (probably Balsas Basin) prob. Balsas Basin
2 basalt projectile points/lcnives Patzcuaro Basin (probably Urichu) Patzcuaro Basin
1 shell bead marine (Oliva spp )b unknown
General Tomb 1 black obsidian projectile point (B. 13 or B. 21) C. Varal (Zinaparo)e source or Urichu
1 shell (B. 13, 14 or 21) Pacificb unknown
1 large ceramic spindle whorl (B. 12 or B. 14) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
16 none
(Child, 9-10 yrs)
17 none
(Adult, female)
20 1 ceramic bowl (no supports) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
(Child, 34 yrs)
22 none
(Child, 34 yrs)
23 none
(Child, 5-6 yrs)
24 2 ceramic bowls (no supports, resist/red) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
(Adult, female) 1 ceramic polisher (resist/red) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
1 small ceramic spindle whorl Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
25 1 ceramic bowl (no supports, resist/buff) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
(Child 4-5 yrs) 47 shell beads Pacific or Patzcuaro Basinb Pacific or Patzcuaro
4 shell atlatlpieces prob. Pacificb unknown
3 chrysocolla beadsc not central Michoacan (Balsas?) unknown
1 greenobsidianblade Pachucaa Pachuca
4 basalt projectile points Patzcuaro Basin (probably Urichu) prob. Urichu
Note: All source identifications by visual inspection by Pollard, unless offierwise noted. The ceramics are identified by examination of pastes by binoc-
ular microscope.
a Identification of 1 black obsidian blade to Zacualtipan and 2 green obsidian blades to Pachuca-1 by NAA, M. Glascock, Missouri University Research
Reactor (MURR), 1998.
b Identification by 0. Polaco, INAH, 1996.
C Visual identification by P. Weigand in June 1996 at request of Pollard.
d A sample of the ground substance was analyzed by means of XRF by T. Vogel, Department of Geological Sciences, Michigan State University,
February 1995.
e Identification is based on similarity in color to artifacts in the project collection sourced by NAA, M. Glascock, Missouri University Research Reactor
(MURR), 1998.
REPORTS 271
Figure 11. Grave goods, Burial 13, Lupe-La Joya phase tfront row: 3 ceramic flutes, 1 turquoise plaque, several shell
artifacts; center row: 1 ceramic stamp, 1 bluestone axe, 5 projectile points (2 basalt, 1 quartz, 3 obsidian), 4 obsidian
blades; back row: 7 ceramic jars, 10 ceramic tripod bowls, 1 ceramic censer].
the molar teeth. Cahue and Sauer independently seri- observers agreed on age categories for 39 cases, and
ated all the teeth and assigned the individuals to one only disagreed in one case where most of the teeth
of six age categories: subadult (s12), adolescent were missing (see Table 3).
rr * * r r r * r * r
(12-2.0), adult (20 +), young adult (2s35), middle l ne aSSlgnatlOn OI sex tor tms populatlon provea
adult (35-50), and older adult (50 +) (Buikstra and to be a more complex problem (see Table 4). The
Ubelaker 1994). For the purpose of this discussion, method of choice for most physical anthropologists
however, adults were combined into one group for the assessment of sex in the human skeleton is,
(adult, 20 +). Of the 40 individuals examined, the without a doubt, the Phenice method (St. Hoyme
Figure 12. Grave goods, Burial 14, Lupe-La Joya phase [front row:1 shell artifact, 4 obsidian projectile points, 1
ceramic cylinder; back row: 10 obsidian blades].
272 LATIN AMERICAN ANTIQUITY [Vol. 10, No. 3, 19991
Figure 13. Burial 20, Terrace 1 of Area 5, Urichu, dates to the Jaracuaro-Lupe phase. This stone box burial was located
on the floor of a room (see figure 8) and contained one 3- to 4- year-old child.
andiscan 1989). The Phenice method, based on mor- cases examined, the mandible was the best repre-
phologic indicators of sexual dimorphism in the hip, sented across the population, was easily observed and
while reliable, is inappropriate for very fragmented scored, and did not require an intact bone so we
remains where the necessary morphological features could include fragmented mandibles in our study. In
are unobservable? as is the case in the Urichu popu- spite of the challenges posed by incomplete, frag-
lation (Iscan and Loth 1989). In addition to the dif- mented, and sometimes poorly preserved remains,
ficulties inherent in sexing fragmented remains, this Cahue and Sauer agreed on the sex of all but two
population is characterized by gracile postcranial individuals.
skeletons with robust crania. This biological char- The independent assignation of sex is of particu-
lar interest to this study, especially in those cases
acteristic often led, in the preliminary stages of analy-
sis, to conflicting sex designations for the same where the associated materials goods are tradition-
individual, depending on which part of the skeletonally associated with members of the opposite sex.
was being scored (postcranium or cranium). Burial 13, the individual with the mostelaborate and
Urunuela5 reports the same skeletal relationships numerous grave goods inside the tomb, has been
posing difficulties in the assignation of sex of the identified as female? but the material goods are rep-
Tarascan burials found in the Sayula Basin in Jalisco. resentative of an assemblage traditionally associated
Study of the available Tarascan elite skeletal remains with males (see below). To resolve this issue, a bone
in the Lake Patzcuaro Basin was instrumental in sample has been procured for DNA analysis.
assessing the range in variation for this population
The Grave Goods
and the testing of a new method for the assignation
of sex in skeletal remains. The material remains associated with these burials
The morphological indicator of sexual dimor- indicate both continuity and change during the emer-
phism in the mandibular ramus flexure (Loth and gence of the Tarascan state. The basic ceramic wares,
Henneberg 1996) was chosen because in most of the including two distinctive ceramic pastes, are found
REPORTS 273
throughout the sequence. These include 11 of theburial

13 complexes; while 83 percent of all lithics are
wares previously defined at Tzintzuntzan (Pollard basalt, the proportion of obsidian prismatic blades is
1993: Appendix 2). While no Prehispanic ceramic only 13 percent of the earlier obsidian but 37 per-
production sites have been located in the Patzcuaro
cent of the Late Postclassic obsidian assemblage.
Basin, Pollard has made visual comparisons of the The lithic artifacts from Tomb 1 and the primary
Prehispanic wares with those now produced in middenthe contemporary with Tomb 1, dating to the
Patzcuaro Basin locations of Tzintzuntzan, Sta.Classic,
Fe Epiclassic and Early Postclassic and a pri-
de la Laguna, Zurumutaro, and Erongaricuaro. Mod- mary deposit in Area 2, dating to the Middle Post-
ern ceramic production uses the widely available classic, reveal heavy dependence on a local basalt
red-brown luvisols, locally called charanda, industry
and and use of limited quantities of gray/black
compressed volcanic ash, called uira's. These are obsidian
the secondary cores and flakes. Pnsmatic blades
same two distinctive ceramic pastes that have beenfrom Pachuca and Zacualtipan are rare in middens
identified from Prehispanic sherds6 from but present in Tomb 1, indicating some access to
Tzintzuntzan. Although Prehispanic sherds repre- long-distance obsidian trade networks beyond
senting all phases of occupation at Urichu and 18 clay
Michoacan (Pollard, Glascock, and Rizo 1998).
samples from throughout the Patzcuaro Basin are
Among the Michoacan sources, the earlier burials
currently undergoing petrographic analysis and
include obsidian projectile points from Cerro Prieto
NAA7 to determine, among other things, whether
anditCerro Varal9, parts of the Zinaparo mining com-
is possible to distinguish pottery produced at plex (Darras 1994), and from Ucareo. Also from
Tzintzuntzan from that produced at Urichu, there isUcareo are obsidian prismatic blades, noteworthy
no reason to believe that the Prehispanic ceramics because they are so rare from contemporary middens.
were not produced within the Patzcuaro Basin. Nor The Late Postclassic Tariacuri phase burials of
is there any evidence of major changes in the tech-Area 1 contain only Zinapecuaro-Ucareo prismatic
nology of ceramic production.8 However, the com-blades, at a time when adjacent midden deposits
plex polychromes, often in unusual shapes, are quite reveal marked increases in the abundance of pris-
distinctive for the Classic/Epiclassic and the periodmatic blades, primarily from Ucareo obsidian. It is
after state emergence. In both periods, they are pri-believed that the Tarascan central dynasty directly
marily in elite andJor ritual association, suggesting controlled the obsidian from the Ucareo mines (Pol-
that ceramic production believed to be primarilylard et al. 1998), and its presence in these later buri-
local-was not substantially changed with the for- als reflects the linkage of local elites to the royal
mation of the state. However, the range of other mate- dynasty and central administrators of the state.
rial goods associated with elite membership changed Finally, there is a marked change in burial archi-
substantially. In the earlier elite burials, the poly- tecture and body position, and the age and gender
chrome vessels, including one that may have been inclusiveness of the burial types, between the
imported from Guanajuato, are accompanied by Jaracuaro-Lupe phases and the Tariacuri phase at
Pacific andAtlantic ocean shell, turquoise, hematite, Urichu. In the earlier phases, adult males were buried
and green prismatic blades (Table 5). All of these in formal tombs, adult females may or may not have
nonceramic goods appear to have been imported asbeen buried in such tombs, and all primary burials
finished products and come from locations through-were in extended positions. The two undisputed
out central and western Mexico. In the Late Post- females buried in Tomb 1 include Burial 12, the last
classic, the elite at Urichu were accompanied by individual placed in Tomb 1 (through the roof and
Tarascan polychrome ceramics, bronze and copper not aligned east-west as Burials 13 and 14) with only
tools and ornaments, spindle whorls for cotton ceramic bowls and jars as grave goods, and one of
thread, and decorated ceramic pipes, all of whichthe individuals in Burial 18 with no associated grave
only appear in the deposits dating to the Tarascangoods. The children were all buried outside the tomb,
state (Table 6). While these goods may be imports some with no grave goods, one with several goods,
to the community at Urichu, they were all producedand one in a stone box.
in the Patzcuaro Basin. In the Late Postclassic elites at Urichu, including
Changes also are apparent in the types and sourcesmales, females, and children, were buried in walls
of flaked stone artifacts associated with these twoand floors of structures, in flexed position. Primar-
274
>/S\/
LATIN AMERICAN ANTIQUITY lVol. 10, No. 3, 1999]
Table 6. Late Postclassic Period Grave Goods at Urichu (Area 1).
Burial no. Artifacts Source Manufacture

1 (Adult, male) None
2 (2 Adults, male) None
3 (Adolescent, ?) 1 ceramic bead Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
4 (Adult, male) 2 ceramic beads Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
2 ceramic spindle whorls (small) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
S stone polishers Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin

1 black obsidian prismatic blade Ucareoa prob. Patzcuaro Basin
4 bronze arfifacts (3 awls, 1 tweezer) Balsas Basin or S. Jalisco (copper); prob. Tzintzuntzan
Empire (silver); ? (tin)d
S (Adult, female) 2 ceramic vessels (Tarascan polychromes) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
6 (Adult, female) None
7 (Adult, female) 3 ceramic vessels (Tarascan polychromes) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
1 jadeite bead Central AmericaC unknown
2 shell beads Pacific (Spondylus sp )b unknown
4 bronze artifacts (3 needles, 1 lump) Balsas Basin or S. Jalisco (copper); Empire prob. Tzintzuntzan
(silver); ? (tin)d
3 ceramic figurines (ducks) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
67 ceramic beads Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
1 stone polisher Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
2 bone battens Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
(1 carved deer bone, 1 human bone)a
1 shell bead marineb unknown
3 bronze artifacts (ealTing with shell pendant) Balsas Basin or S. Jalisco (copper); prob. Tzintzuntzan

9 (2 children, 9-10 1 ceramic vessel (Tarascan polychrome) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
& 12-13 yrs) 8 bronze artifacts (7 earrings with shell pendant, Balsas Basin or S. Jalisco (copper); prob. Tzintzuntzan
I wire) Empire (silver); ? (tin)d
10 (Adult, male) I ceramic vessel (Tarasca, polychrome) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
1 black obsidian lip plug prob. Ucareof prob. Patzcuaro Basin
27 (Adult, ?) None
28e (Adult, male) 1 ceramic vessel (Tarascan polychrome) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
1 ceramic spindle whorl (small) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
29e (Adult, ?) 1 ceramic vessel (Tarascan polychrome) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
9 bronze artifacts (earring with shell pendant) Balsas Basin or S. Jalisco (copper); prob. Tzintzuntzan
30e (Adult, female) 2 shell beads, 1 shell fragment Pacific or Patzcuarob unknown
31 (Adult, male) 1 ceramic vessel (Tarascan polychrome) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin
32e (Adult, female) 2 bronze artifacts (earring with shell pendant) Balsas Basin or S. Jalisco (copper); prob. Tzintzuntzan
2 black obsidian prismatic blades I Zinapecuaro,a 1 Ucareof prob. Patzcuaro Basin
1 bronze artifact (needle) Balsas Basin or S. Jalisco (copper); prob. Tzintzuntzan
Note: All identifications of source are based upon visual inspection by Pollard, unless otherwise noted. Ceramic identifications are based upon paste
identification under binocular microscope.
a Identification of 1 obsidian blade to Ucareo and lobsidian blade to Zinapecuaro by NAA, M. Glascock, Missouri University Research Reactor
(MURR), 1998.
b Identification by 0. Polaco, INAH, 1996.
c Visual identification by P. Weigand in June 1996 at request of Pollard. While Weigand indicated that the color suggests the Costa Rican variety, the
actual existence of a source outside the Motagua Valley, Guatemala, is disputed (Bishop and Lange 1993).
d Identification by D. Hosler (Hosler and Macfarlane 1996).
e Burial was looted during excavation; grave goods may have been removed.
f Identification is based on similarity in color to artifacts in the project collection sourced by NAA, M. Glascock, Missouri University Research Reactor
(MURR), 1998.
REPORTS 275
Table 7. Classic-Epiclassic Period Tombs in Michoacan.
Site Floor Area Artifacts Burials Composition

Tingambatoa ca. llm2 110 108 adults+ juvenilesd males, females, children
Guadalupe, Zacapu Basinb ca. llm2 (tomb EF1) 157 35+ individuals males, females, children
Tres Cerritos,Cuitzeo BasinC ca. 14m2 120 + beads 30+ individuals males, females, (juv?)
Urichu,Patzcuaro Basin ca. 4m2 87 10 individuals 7 males, 2 females, 1?
a Lagunas Rodnguez (1987) and Pina Chan and Oi (1982).
b Arnauld et al. (1993).
c Macias Goytia (1988) and Macias Goytia and Vackimes Serret (1988).
d In a recent restudy of the Tingambato human remains, Pereira (1997) estimates a minimum number of individuals (MNI) of
36, based primarily on the calvaria (36), the mandibles (35), and the femora (32 right, 24 left).
ily females were buried with small spindle whorls, the Zacapu Basin documents the earliest civic-cere-
bone battens, ceramic and shell beads, bronze nee- monial architecture in a settlement that previously
dles, and, in addition to two children, with bronze had been exclusively funerary in function (Carot and
earrings with shell pendents. The elite female asso- Fauvet Berthelot 1996). The appearance of sunken
ciation with spinning and weaving cotton is sup- plazalplatform architecture in the Loma Alta 2b
ported by the ethnohistoric record (Pollard 1993: phase (A.D. 25s350) is associated with construc-
164, 178; Relacion de Michoacan 1980: 26s262), tion materials of basalt and clay brought from almost
and the association of females and children with 10 km away and a new burial tradition in which rich-
beads continues a mortuary practice that was first ness of interment is directly related to proximity to
seen in the Chupicuaro burials. Only males were platform centrality (Pereira 1996). These burial
deposits are currently the best evidence for the tim-
buried with lip plugs, bronze awls, and bronze tweez-
ing of the emergence of social ranking among the
ers. Despite its small size, this gendered burial assem-
blage is similar to that found at Tzinztuntzan, where central Michoacan populations.
males were associated with lip plugs and ceramic By the Late Classic period, the elite were buried
pipes (Pollard 1993: 47, 155). in group tombs that were similar to each other in their
use over multiple generations and their methods of
Urichu Elite within Michoacan
construction (see Table 7). They were buried with
In addition to the material remains from Urichu, preciosities imported as finished goods of raw mate-
there is evidence of Classic and Epiclassic period rials derived from many parts of Mesoamerica,
elite at Loma Santa Maria (Manzanilla Lopez 1988), including Atlantic and Pacific ocean shell, turquoise,
Tingambato (Lagunas Rodriguez 1987; Pina Chan hematite, Pachuca green obsidian, jadeite, pyrites,
and Oi 1982), Guadalupe (in the Zacapu Basin rock crystal, chrysocolla, and polychrome ceramic
[Arnauld et al. 1993; Michelet 1988, 1990, 1992; vessels (often with annular bases and/or resist dec-
Michelet et al. 1988, 1989]), and Tres Cerritos (in oration). Such grave goods, along with cranial defor-
the Lake Cuitzeo Basin [Macias Goytia 1988,1989; mation and dental mutilation, distinguished these
Macias Goytia and Vackimes Serret 1988]). While families from the surrounding populations. Local
there are no published chronometric dates from elite status was partially derived from their partici-
Tingambato orTres Cerritos, and limited publication pation in the macroregional exchange system by
of results from all of the sites, we believe it wor*- which such goods were obtained; their importation
while to use the evidence known to date to place the as finished goods reveals the dependence of these
evidence from Urichu within a regional context. elites on social/economic power generated in other
In the period from A.D. 500 700, elites resided parts of western Mesoamerica. At both Guadalupe
in centers throughout central Michoacan. Their and Tres Cerritos greenstone masks in Teotihuacan
broadly shared heritage from the Late Preclassic style and a few thin-orange sherds (Guadalupe) and
Chupicuaro culture is reflected in the ceramic tradi- possibly local copies of a few thin-orange vessels
tion and many aspects of mortuary behavior, includ- (Tres Cerritos) indicate one source of prestige goods.
ing, for example, the dominance of primary extended Despite their common cultural tradition, the elite
burials and the association of shell beads with chil- varied in the size and architectural complexity of the
dren and, occasionally, female burials (PorterWeaver centers they controlled and the degree of internal
1969). Recent research at the site of Loma Alta in social ranking. There is variation observed in the
276 LATIN AMERICAN ANTIQUITY lVol. 10, No. 3, 1999]
mv 0')R
-X)
a\<CXUr!
t a,<
Itziparamucu
< Eronguaricuara
S)'
Figure 14. Early and Middle Postclassic Polities of the Lake Patzcuaro Basin. Centers are named and their possible
territories are enclosed by the dashed lines. The current distribution of agricultural land is included to highlight prox-
imity to lacustrine and terrestrial resources. Class 1 land includes permanently or seasonally irrigated land; class 2
land includes the alluvial floor of the basin used for rainfall agriculture (and the upland alluvium around Pechataro);
class 3 land includes the thin mountainous soils covered by pine-oak forest and the upper alluvial slopes of lower agri-
cultural fertility (Pollard 1993: 63-77). Black areas include former marsh zone now dry land; Middle Postclassic sites
on this land indicate lake margin during a portion of this period.
size of tombs, range of individuals buried, and ratio other elite centers is not known, due to the distur-
of grave goods per person. Urichu appears to have bance of burials from repeated use of the tombs and
had primarily males buried in Tomb 1, but females, the absence of absolute dates directly from the tombs
children and infants were buried under floors and at any other site. At Urichu, the increase in grave
within laja "boxes" (small stone cists). Unlike the goods appears to reflect an enhanced ability of local
Guadalupe tombs from the Zacapu Basin only 20 km elites to obtain and bury exotics, and also capture the
away, which included no polychrome vessels, most labor of local producers of polychrome and resist
vessels from Urichu had both polychrome and resist ceramics.
(negative) decoration. According to official Tarascan history (Relacion
From A.D. 700 900, the burial tradition contin- de Michoacan 1956 [1541]), the warrior-leader
ued at Urichu, presumably representing direct Tariacuri united the several independent polities of
descendants of earlier elite. However, the number of the Patzcuaro Basin into a unified state during the
grave goods per individual rose dramatically. Indeed, first half of the fourteenth century (Figure 14). Fol-
although the sex of the individual with the greatest lowing his death, his son and nephews extended the
number of associated goods in the tomb is currently state beyond the Patzcuaro Basin and began the polit-
undetermined, the individual was buried with pro- ical and economic changes which formed a new
jectile points and whole prismatic blades items that Mesoamerican empire. At this time, Urichu became
in the Late Postclassic were associated with the a tertiary administrative center located in the politi-
hunter-warrior deity Curicaueri and males (Pollard cal and economic core of a major state. The local elite
1993: 137, 179)l°. DNA analysis of this individual were buried with goods that were manufactured
is expected to resolve the uncertainty. Whether this within the Basin, of raw materials obtained by state
increase in grave goods per individual occurred at merchants, state mines, or the imperial tribute sys-
REPORTS 277
tem. Unlike earlier elites who imported manufac- ally Tarascan, can be associated with distinctive types
tured goods reflecting distant societies and ideolo- of societies and represent the dominance of distinc-
gies, the local Urichu elite measured their status by tive political economies. The first, called by Helms
similarity to goods from the Tarascan capital across "acquisitional polities," are generally dependent or
the lake at Tzintzuntzan. Local elites from Zacapu, peripheral societies that locate cosmological centers
Tres Cerritos, and other places within the empire at a geographical distance. Such ideological depen-
also defined their status with imports and copies of dence may or may not be associated with economic
goods from the Patzcuaro Basin. Exports from the or political dependence on the cosmological centers,
Tarascan Empire into the rest of Middle-Late Post- although the internal evidence suggests leadership
classic Mesoamenca can be documented only for primarily based upon control of prestige goods net-
obsidian (Smith 1996: 127) and metal artifacts, pri- works. During the Classic period, the burial of
marily of bronze (Hosler and Macfarlane 1996). In Pachuca prismatic blades, greenstone masks, thin-
the case of the bronzes, however, the vast majority orange pottery, and possibly local copies of thin-
of analyzed artifacts from central and southern Mex- orange pottery in Teotihuacan styles, suggests that
ico, including the Maya region, were manufactured Teotihuacan was a cosmological center for central
within Michoacan or its tributary zone in adjacent and northern Michoacan elites. During the Epiclas-
Jalisco (Hosler and Macfarlane 1996). While export sic period, this centrality appears to have continued,
of these goods by the Tarascan upper elite would have despite profound changes in the political economies
made possible the import of various raw materials of central Mexico. The appearance of ideologically
used by the royal dynasty in state ritual, the power laden goods from farther west or north, possibly the
of the Tarascan leaders rested upon their direct con- coyote bowl at Urichu and cloissone vessels at
trol over basic resources and labor within the tern- Tingambato, may reflect shifts in the location of such
torial borders of the empire. ideologically powerful centers. Ringle et al. (1998:
217) suggest that frying pan censers (Guadalupe,
The Transformation of Regional Elites
Tingambato), openwork censers (Urichu), and
Mary Helms has written extensively about the roleTlaloc-face vessels (or lids) (Tingambato) of the Epi-
of obtaining goods from afar, such as those found classic
in represent the paraphernalia associated with
the Classic and Epiclassic tombs of Michoacan. "By the worship of Quetzalcoatl at major cult centers. In
obtaining such goods from afar, persons of influ-central Mexico, such centers are believed to have
ence, or elites, are involved in symbolically charged
included Teotenango, Xochicalco, Cholula,
acts of both acquisition and transformation..." Cacaxtla, and E1 Tajin. Of great significance to suc
(1993:4), by which they enhance their local politi- local leaders during the Classic period was the loca-
cal power. At the same time, she sees a parallel to tion of Michoacan between two core regions of com
the skilled craft production, and the patrons of such plex society: Teotihuacan to the east and Teuchitlan
production, also associated with elite prestige and to the west (Ohnersorgen andVarien 1996; Weigand
power. Thus "skilled crafting...is political and ideo- 1993, 1996). The Epiclassic represents the collapse
logical rather than economic in nature" (1993:16). of both states, with new polities, population move-
Such local crafting is reflected, for example, in the ments, changing trading patterns, and new ideolo-
polychrome vessels of all time periods associated gies occurring to the east, north, and west of
with Michoacan elites, and the cotton textiles and Michoacan.
metallurgy of the Late Postclassic nobility. The bur- By the Middle-Late Postclassic periods, the set-
ial of such exotic goods with elites is seen as reaf- tlements within the Patzcuaro Basin, especially
firming their linkages to ancestors and supernaturals, Tzintzuntz an , Ihuatzio , and Patzc u aro , together c on -
and thus reafElrming their acquisition of wealth as stituteda"superordinatecenter"(Helms 1993:174),
consistent with the interests of the entire society. as the Patzcuaro Basin became the cosmological cen-
The two very distinctive assemblages associated ter of the state religion (Pollard 1993). For this time
with these elites, the Classic-Epiclassic goods penod, we know that cosmological centrality also
believed to have been primarily imported as finished
was associated with political and economic central-
products from distant places, and the Late Postclas-
ity. The distinctive elite burial assemblage found
sic assemblage of goods symbolically and materi- throughout central Michoacan clearly reflects the
emergence of a new regional core operating within

1998), and the Zinapecuaro-Ucareo Project (Healan
very different macroregional networks. Tarascan elite
1997). Yet even the preliminary analysis of ffiis report
at Urichu were no longer defining themselves in bur-
suggests that the material expression of elite iden-
ial ritual with goods produced by other societies that
tity as revealed in mortuary contexts will reflect the
were widely distributed throughout central and west-
local, regional, and macroregional restucturing that
ern Mexico. By contrast, they were buned with goodsswept across Mesoarnerica during the Postclassic
that reinforce the distinctiveness of Tarascan elite cul-
period.
ture and the Tarascan state religion.
Acknowledgments. This article is based upon a paper pre-
The local elite at Late Postclassic Urichu derive
sented by Pollard for the symposium, "Ideological and
their social, political, and economic status from their
Socioeconomic Transformation in Postclassic Mesoamerica,"
linkages to the royal dynasty at Tzintzuntzan, and
at the Annual Meeting of the American Anthropological
their burial assemblages clearly reflect these links.
Association in November 1996, and a paper, "Cambios en el
In the legendary history of the political unification
tratamiento mortuorio de la elite de Urichu," presented by
of the Patzcuaro Basin that is recorded in the
Cahue and Pollard at the IV Coloquio Internacional de
Occidentalistas, Guadalajara, in June 1996. The 1990 and
Relacion de Michoacan, the local elite at Urichu (like
1991 field seasons were supported by grants from the
those of Erongancuaro) never include any of the
National Geographic Society and the Wenner-Gren
Nahua-speaking migrants who dominated the elites
Foundation for Anthropological Research to Pollard. The
of all other Patzcuaro Basin centers (see Figure 14).
1992 laboratory season was supported by a Global
These migrants, who are referred to as Nahuas, Competence Grant from the Center for International Studies,
Chichimecs, and the last group of Nahua-speaking Michigan State University. The 1994 and 1995 field seasons
were supported by the National Endowment for the
migrants as Uacusecha (one lineage of which gave
Humanities (grant RK-20087) to Pollard. The 1995 and 1996
rise to the Tarascan royal dynasty), are described field
as seasons were supported by the National Science
ethnically distinct from the Tarascan-speakingFoundation (grant SBR 9507673;0RD No. 63560) to
(purepecha) lake dwellers, differing from one Pollard. Pollard appreciates the kindness of Lorena
Mirambell S. (1990, 1991, 1992), Mari Carmen Serra Puche
another based upon their language, deities, and
(1994), Norberto Gonzalez Crespo (1995, 1996), and Joaqufn
economies. The royal dynasty and ruling elite at
Garcia-Barcena (1996) as Presidentes del Consejo de
Tzintzuntzan are historically and ethnically associ-
Arqueologia, Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia
ated with the Uacusecha. Nevertheless, while the
(INAH), Mexico, in obtaining research and export permits
during the course of the project. Pollard wishes to thank P.
Urichu elite are identified as ethnically distinct from
the elite at Tzintzuntzan prior to the unificationWeigand
of for taking time during a busy conference schedule
in Guadalajara in 1996 to advise on identification of the raw
the state, the evidence from the Tariacuri phase buri-
materials of some stone artifacts discussed in this article;
als at Urichu suggests they were full participants thank
in O. Polaco for his timely identification of all faunal
the mortuary ritual that defined Tarascan elite iden-
material; thank D. Healan for many discussions about
Michoacan obsidian; thank N. Sauer for advice and supervi-
tity by the fourteenth century. That identity was sig-
nified by the presence of artifact types and raw sion of the human osteological analysis; and thank R.
McCosh for figures 3, 5, 9, and 10, and F. Krist and B.
materials connoting both ( 1 ) elite status as expressed
Albright for figures 1, 2,10, and 14. The authors also wish to
in Postclassic societies throughout Mesoamericaacknowledge the support of the Centro Regional INAH-
(obsidian prismatic blades, polychrome ceramics, Michoacan, Morelia, especially our colleague Aida
jade beads, lip plugs, cotton textile tools), and Castilleja,
(2) the officials of the municipio of Erongaricuaro and
distinctly Tarascan identity (spouted polychrome our many collaborators and supporters in San Francisco
Uricho, Michoacan. Finally, the authors wish to thank the
vessels with resist decoration, bronze tools and
many reviewers for their comments and suggestions.
adornments, ceramic pipes).
This model of sociopolitical development based References Cited
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280
Pollard, H. P. 2. The excavation was halted when the Comite Ejidal of

1980 Central Places and Cities: A Consideration of the Pro- Uricho and a number of their followers decided to challenge
tohistoric Tarascan State. American Antiquity 45:677-696. the authority of INAH to issue permits and demanded that the
1993 Tarfacuri's Legacy: The Prehispanic Tarascan State.
project director (H. P. Pollard) force INAH to provide devel-
University of Oklahoma Press, Norman.
opment funds for the village. With only two weeks of the
1996 Emergence of the Tarascan State: The Urichu,
Xaracuaro, and Pareo Polities. Progress Report to the field season remaining, the excavation was halted. In the fol-
National Science Foundation Contract No. SBR 9507673. lowing season, negotiations from January to August between
Copies available from NSF, Arlington, Virginia. the Centro Regional INAH-Michoacan and the Comite
Pollard, H. P., M. Glascock, and M. Rizo Ejidal failed to resolve the impasse.
1998 PreliminaryAnalysis of Obsidian Sources from the Lake3. The Tarascan burial pattern for elites also included
Patzcuaro Basin: The Urichu, Xaracuaro, and Pareo Poli- extended single and multiple interments adjacent to primary
ties. Paper presented at the 21st Annual Meeting of the state pyramids, such as the main platform at Tzintzuntzan
Midwest Mesoamericariists, Michigan State University, East
(Pollard 1993: 47, 155) and Huandacareo (Macias Goytia
Lansing.
1989).
Pollard, H. P., and T. Vogel
1994 Late Postclassic Imperial Expansion and Economic 4. L. Cahue is a doctoral student at Michigan State
Exchange within the Tarascan Domain. In Economies andUniversity, working under the supervision of N. Sauer, phys
Polities in the Aztec Realm, edited by M. Smith and M. ical anthropologist. Final aging and sexing was done with
Hodge, pp. 447470. University of Texas Press, Austin. the complete collection in the project field laboratory during
Porter Weaver, M. N. 1996.
1969 A Reappraisal of Chupicuaro. In TheNatalie Wood Col-5. Discussions of the Sayula material in 1996 were part of
lection of Pre-Columbian Ceramicsfrom Chupfeuaro, Gua-
ongoing bone isotope analysis by L. Cahue for G. Urunuela
najuato, Mexico, edited by J. R. Frierman, pp. 81-92.
of the Sayula Project.
University of California, Los Angeles.
Relaci6n de Michoacan (RM)
6. Seventeen sherds from the Tzintzuntzan collection housed
1956 [1541] Relacion de las ceremonias y ritos y poblacionat Michigan State University underwent NAA testing at the
y gobierno de Michoacan. Reproducci6n facsimilar del Ms Phoenix Nuclear Laboratory at the University of Michigan.
IV de El Escorial, Madrid. Aguilar Publicistas, Madrid. The results were analyzed by Leah Minc and reported to
1980 La relacio'n de Michoaca'n. Versi6n paleografica, sepa-
Pollard in 1997 (unpublished report on file, Department of
raci6n de textos, ordenaci6n coloquil, estudio preliminar y
Anthropology, Michigan State University).
notas de F. Miranda. Estudios Michoacanos V., Fimax, More-
7. Project title: Emergence of the Tarascan State: Chemical
lia, Michoacan, Mexico.
Characterization of Ceramic Sherds from Urichu, and Clay
Ringle, W. M., T. Gallareta Negr6n, and G. J. Bey III
Samples, Lake Patzcuaro Basin, Michoacan, Mexico; Pollard
1998 The Return of Quetzalcoatl: Evidence for the Spread of
and A. J. Hirshman, coprincipal investigators, 1998.
a World Religion during the Epiclassic Period. Ancient
Mesoamerica 9:183-232. Preliminary results suggest that all Classic period sherds
Smith, M. E. match clay sources in the Urichu area, 67 percent of
1996 TheAztecs. Blackwell Publishers, Oxford. Epiclassic and Early-Middle Postclassic sherds match Urichu
St. Hoyme, L. E., and M. Y. Iscan area clays, and 48 percent of Late Postclassic sherds match
1989 Determination of Sex andRace: Accuracy andAssump- Urichu area clays. The remaining identifiable sherds match
tions. In Reconstruction of Life from the Skeleton, edited by clays in other parts of the Patzcuaro Basin (Hirshman et al.
M. Y. Iscan and K. A. R. Kennedy, pp.53-93. Alan R. Liss, 1999).
New York.
8. This is based upon preliminary analysis of the ceramic col-
Weigand, P. C.
lection by Pollard and A. J. Hirshman. More detailed analy-
1993 Evolucion de una civilizacion prehispa'nica: arqueologfa
de Jalisco, Nayarity Zacatecas. El Colegio de Michoacan, sis will be part of the doctoral thesis of Hirshman.
Zamora, Mexico. 9. See Pollard et al. (1998) for a discussion of sampling in the
NAA characterization of 198 obsidian artifacts from Urichu,
1996 The Architecture of the Teuchitlan Tradition of the Occi-
dente of Mesoamerica. Ancient Mesoamerica 7: 91-101.Xaracuaro, and Pareo; see Pollard and Vogel (1994) for sim-
Williams, E. ilar discussion of XRF analysis of 381 obsidian artifacts from
1993 Historia de la arqueologia en Michoacan. In II Coloquio Tzintzuntzan.
Pedro Bosch-Gimpera, edited by M. T. Cabrero G., pp.
10. While mortuary evidence is limited for Michoacan,
195-236. Instituto de Investigaciones Antropologicas, Uni-
among the 396 Late Preclassic burials from Chupicuaro,
versidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico.
Guanajuato, only males (and one child) were buried with
obsidian projectile points (Porter Weaver 1969: 81-92)
Notes
Tomb Burial 14 has the greatest number of projectile points
1. The only earlier work includes the excavations at proto- and prismatic blades and is male (Table 5).
historic Tarascan centers, especially Tzintzuntzan, which are
incompletely published and not chronometrically dated
(Gorensbtein and Pollard 1983; Pollard 1980, 1993; Pollard
Received December 8, 1997; accepted January 30, 1998;
and Vogel 1994; Williams 1993).
revised May 27, 1999.

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Mortuary Patterns of Regional Elites in the Lake Patzcuaro Basin of Western Mexico

Author(s): Helen Perlstein Pollard and Laura Cahue

MORTUARY PATTERNS OF REGIONAL ELITES IN 1 HE LAKE

Helen Perlstein Pollard and Laura Cahue

Latin American Antiquity, 10(3), 1999, pp. 259-280

;-j\w} C-A- A a./

Period Local Phase

Table 2: Radiocarbon Dates from Urichu, Michoacan.

B-39996 510 + 80 -25.0 1426 1398-1449 2-1 level 8 1300-1621

Figure 4. Radiocarbon dates from Urichu, Michoacan. All dates

Figure 6. Burial 5, Tariacuri phase.

resent three layers of cultural deposits: 1) a residen-

Classic-Epiclassic Period Elite Burials

Area 5 is the furthest south along the lava flow on

Table 3. Age Distribution of Urichu Skeletal Population.

Area 1 Area 2a Area 5 Total

Table 4. Sex Distribution of Urichu Adult and Adolescent Skeletal Population.

Area 1 Area 2a Area 5

Figure 9. Location of Jaracuaro and Lupe-La Joya ph

* Jarwith Hematite o Shell

Figure 10. Plan of human bone and gra

Table 5. Classic-Epiclassic Peridd Grave Goods at Urichu (Area 5).

Buxial no. Artifacts Source Manufacture

3 ceramic flutes (blue+negative on red) central Mexico? unknown

throughout the sequence. These include 11 of theburial

Table 6. Late Postclassic Period Grave Goods at Urichu (Area 1).

Burial no. Artifacts Source Manufacture

2 ceramic spindle whorls (small) Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin

S stone polishers Patzcuaro Basin Patzcuaro Basin

6 (Adult, female) None

Empire (silver); ? (tin)d

Table 7. Classic-Epiclassic Period Tombs in Michoacan.

Site Floor Area Artifacts Burials Composition

emergence of a new regional core operating within

Pollard, H. P. 2. The excavation was halted when the Comite Ejidal of

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