New Research in West Mexico: State of Michoacán

The western Mexican state of Michoacán extends from the Pacific Coast, includes parts of the Sierra Madre Occidental and stretches north to the Lerma River. This region has a long cultural occupation and, by the end of the Postclassic, it fell within the Tarascan Señorío, a powerful rival of the Aztec empire. Tarascans are known to have an isolate language, being prolific traders, excellent coppersmiths, and, in comparison to their neighbors, had a very distinct culture. In 2014, Dr. Jose Luis Punzo-Diaz launched Proyecto Arqueología y Paisaje del Area Centro Sur de Michoacán, which includes sites located near Lake Zirahuen and north of the Balsas River basin. Since then, he and his team have intensively investigated a number of archaeological sites, which have added to the body of knowledge of this unique culture. This poster session attempts to bring together a cross-section of the most recent work.