Tarascan: Did you mean...?

The Tarascan civilization (aka the Purépecha, after their language) dominated western Mexico and built an empire that would bring it into direct conflict with that other great Mesoamerican civilization of the Post-classic period, the Aztecs...

The distinctive pyramid structures of the Tarascan capital Tzintzuntzan, Late Post-Classical period (1350-1520 CE). These structures, known as yacata, are unique in Mesoamerica and combine rectangular and circular stepped pyramids on a large...

This ceremonial seat in the form of a coyote comes from Mexico's Lake Pátzcuaro Basin in Michoacán. This seat was likely occupied by a person of importance, and it was made by artisans residing in the Tarascan State. (Museum Rietberg, Zürich...

An incense burner of a deity with a headdress of the rain god Tlaloc. Produced by the Tarascan civilization which flourished in western Mexico between 1350 CE and 1522 CE. (Snite Museum of Art, Indiana)

A map of Mexico indicating in green the extent of the Tarascan empire in the late Post-Classic period (1350-1520 CE) and the Tarascan capital of Tzintzuntzan. Indicated in grey is the contemporary Aztec empire.

Dogs were an integral aspect of the lives of the people of Mesoamerica regardless of their location or culture and, throughout the region, were recognized as liminal beings belonging not only to the natural world and that of humans but to...

The Aztec empire flourished between c. 1345 and 1521 CE and dominated ancient Mesoamerica. This young and warlike nation was highly successful in spreading its reach and gaining fabulous wealth, but then all too quickly came the strange visitors...

Mictlantecuhtli (pron. Mict-lan-te-cuht-li) or 'Lord of the Land of the Dead' was the Aztec god of death. He ruled the underworld (Mictlán) with his wife Mictecacíhuatl. Mictlantecuhtli was worshipped and feared across Mesoamerica. The god...

Casas Grandes or Paquimé was a major pre-Columbian city that flourished due to its extensive trading networks between c. 1150/1200-1450 CE in the northwest of present-day Chihuahua, Mexico. Casas Grandes is one of the largest and most important...

The sport known simply as the Ball Game was played by all the major Mesoamerican civilizations and the impressive stone courts became a feature of many cities. More than just a game, it could have a religious significance and featured in...