Huandacareo — La Nopalera
Postclassic Tarascan (1200–1528 CE)·Purépecha·🇲🇽 Michoacán, Mexico
About
About Huandacareo — La Nopalera
Huandacareo — La Nopalera in Michoacán, Mexico is a Postclassic Tarascan (1200–1528 CE) ancient-city attributed to Purépecha. Terraced hilltop city with sunken plazas and yácata on hill above Cuitzeo lagoon. Macías: terraced settlement with plaza hundida and elite tombs with copper bells.
Why it mattersKey Purépecha compound illustrating Teotihuacan urban organization
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Urban craft specialization
- 02Mural iconography interpretation
Theories
- 01Multi-ethnic barrio model
- 02Theocratic palace administration
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1250 CE
- Period
- Postclassic Tarascan (1200–1528 CE)
- Culture
- Purépecha
- Purpose
- Terraced hilltop city with sunken plazas and yácata on hill above Cuitzeo lagoon
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 1250 CE
Initial construction
c. 1960 CE
Modern INAH excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
19.9600° N · 101.2700° W · 1850 m · 3 mapped features
- Huandacareo — La Nopalera — Central Patio/TemplepatioMain ceremonial patio or temple19.9602° N · 101.2699° W
- Huandacareo — La Nopalera — Residential CompoundcompoundApartment or house compound19.9598° N · 101.2698° W
- Huandacareo — La Nopalera — Workshop / Midden AreaworkshopCraft workshop or midden19.9604° N · 101.2702° W
Gallery