Cutzamala (Mesoamerican site)

The Cutzamala Archaeological Site and the Oztuma-Cutzamala Project: Unveiling the Aztec-Tarascan Frontier

The archaeological site of Cutzamala, located in the northern Guerrero region of Mexico, has emerged as a significant point of interest for understanding the dynamics of the Postclassic period in Mesoamerican chronology. This period, marked by intense conflict between the Purépecha (Tarascan) state and the Aztec Empire, saw Cutzamala serving as a strategic garrison outpost. Ethnohistorical sources, including the Relaciones geográficas, reveal that up to ten thousand Purépecha warriors were stationed here, highlighting the site’s military importance during this era of territorial disputes.

The Oztuma-Cutzamala Project (POC), a comprehensive field survey encompassing 125 archaeological sites across a 1500 sq. km area, aimed to explore the militarized frontier that existed from about AD 1460 until AD 1521. This frontier, delineated by the modern states of Michoacán, México, and Guerrero, was a battleground for the Aztec and Tarascan empires, as documented by various sources including Durán (1994) and Stanislawski (1947). The project sought to understand the impact of this imperial conflict on local populations, particularly the indigenous Cuitlateca and Chontal communities, and to examine the organizational structure of the frontier in the context of imperialism.

The strategic significance of the Oztuma-Cutzamala corridor, beyond economic benefits such as trade and tribute, was crucial for maintaining political boundaries between the Aztec and Tarascan states. The POC’s main objective was to identify major sites associated with these empires and assess their roles within the broader imperial confrontation. This involved a diachronic study of regional settlement patterns to observe changes during the Late Postclassic Period, particularly in response to the war’s repercussions on local populations.

Ethnohistoric sources, while invaluable, possess inherent biases and limitations. The POC, therefore, utilized archaeological data as an independent source of information, allowing for a critical evaluation of historical accounts through the analysis of material remains. This approach facilitated a nuanced understanding of the Aztec-Tarascan war’s effects on the indigenous Chontal and Cuitlateca, as well as the imperial organization of the frontier.

The project’s findings, based on the investigation of 125 archaeological sites and the analysis of 12,926 ceramic sherds, 5,097 pieces of obsidian, and other artifacts, offer insights into the form of the Aztec-Tarascan frontier and the impact of imperialism and militarism on local populations. The distribution of artifacts, such as Ucareo and Pachuca obsidian and various types of decorated ceramics, revealed the ethnic and political divisions of the Late Postclassic frontier. A notable discovery was a 3 km long wall in the no-man’s-land between the Tarascan controlled ridgeline and the Aztec fortified line, suggesting a Chontal attempt to defend important agricultural lands.

The POC’s integration of archaeological and ethnohistoric data has significantly contributed to our understanding of the shifting political dynamics in the province of Oztuma between AD 1470 and 1600. Future research should aim to further define Cuitlateca material culture and the Tarascan Empire’s influence in the region, as well as to conduct focused surveys and excavations to refine the chronology of sites affected by imperial militarization.

In conclusion, the Oztuma-Cutzamala Project has illuminated the complex interplay of imperial ambitions, local responses, and the material manifestations of conflict along the Aztec-Tarascan frontier. This research not only enhances our understanding of Postclassic Mesoamerica but also underscores the value of interdisciplinary approaches in archaeological investigations.

Sources:

FAMSI

Note: There are no images of the site that I have found from my research. If you do have images please contact us and we can update the post.