Urbanism in the Purepecha Heartland at Angamuco, Michoacan

Summary

Despite over 70 years of research in the Lake Patzcuaro Basin of Michoacan, there has been limited work focusing on pre-Purepecha and Purepecha urbanism in the region. In this paper, we discuss how recent survey and excavation data from the ancient city of Angamuco (c. 250-1530 CE) is helping us to evaluate whether suggested urban models from different parts of Mesoamerica are applicable in western Mexico. Alternatively, is there evidence for a distinct type of west Mexican or Purepecha city? What types of archaeological materials can help us to best address this question? Here we examine several specific examples of urban life at Angamuco, including the configuration of household complexes, accessibility within the site, and evidence for social difference. Our study contributes to a wider discussion about the organization of urban space and how we can compare spaces within and between ancient cities.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)   •
• Connections and Complexity: Shifting Perspectives and Current Research in Western Mesoamerica

Keywords

Spatial Coverage