Low-Intensity Investigations at Three Small Sites Along Lake Xaltocan in the Northern Basin of Mexico

Abstract

This report describes recent low-intensity archaeological investigations conducted at three small sites in the northern Basin of Mexico. The sites are represented by surface artifact scatters and are located on the former shoreline of the now-drained Lake Xaltocan, originally one of the principal lakes in this region. Fieldwork included mapping surface concentrations and site dimensions, conducting test excavations, and recovering surface collections. The analysis of surface artifacts focused on determining site function and chronology. Based on fieldwork and analysis, we propose that Michpilco likely was a habitation site with a substantial occupation during the Classic period. The smaller Non-Grid 5 site was occupied during the Epiclassic period, and site Non-Grid 6 was occupied during the Late Postclassic to colonial periods. These sites reflect occupations in a lacustrine landscape throughout different periods. They also exemplify the rapid disappearance and threat of destruction that looting, infrastructural development, and agriculture pose to archaeological sites in the region.

8 Sustainability as a Relative Process: A Long‐Term Perspective on Sustainability in the Northern Basin of Mexico

“…; Sanders et al. , ), systematic surface collections and excavations in and around the settlement of Xaltocan (Brumfiel ; De Lucia ; De Lucia and Overholtzer ; Morehart ; Morehart and Crider ; Morehart et al. ; Overholtzer ; Overholtzer and De Lucia ; Rodríguez‐Alegría , , ) and the Municipio of Tonanitla to the south of Xaltocan (Millhauser ), and salvage excavations throughout the region (Sánchez Vázquez ).…”

“…150–700 CE), the lakes and wetlands remained sparsely populated. However, there is little material evidence of Classic period settlements or the exploitation of lacustrine resources in and around Lake Xaltocan (Brumfiel ; Millhauser , ; Morehart and Crider ; Parsons et al. ; Sanders and Gorenflo ).…”

“…A long-term history of Lake Xaltocan and its inhabitants is possible because of decades of archaeological, historical, and ethnographic research dedicated to the area. The available sources include regional and micro-regional archaeological surveys of Lake Xaltocan's lakebed and surroundings Millhauser 2012;Morehart 2010Morehart , 2012aMorehart , 2016aMorehart , 2016bParsons et al 2008;Sanders et al 1979Sanders et al , 2007, systematic surface collections and excavations in and around the settlement of Xaltocan (Brumfiel 2005;De Lucia 2013;De Lucia and Overholtzer 2014;Morehart 2010;Morehart and Crider 2016;Morehart et al 2012;Overholtzer 2013;Overholtzer and De Lucia 2016;Rodríguez-Alegría 2008 and the Municipio of Tonanitla to the south of Xaltocan (Millhauser 2012), and salvage excavations throughout the region (Sánchez Vázquez 1990). Because few studies have directly investigated the paleoenvironment of Lake Xaltocan (Frederick et al 2005;Maldonado-Koerdell 1947;Morehart 2010), spatial patterns of human habitation and exploitation of the lake serve as proxies for local environmental change.…”

“…150-700 CE), the lakes and wetlands remained sparsely populated. However, there is little material evidence of Classic period settlements or the exploitation of lacustrine resources in and around Lake Xaltocan (Brumfiel 2005;Millhauser 2005Millhauser , 2012Morehart and Crider 2016;Parsons et al 2008;Sanders and Gorenflo 2007). Parsons and colleagues (2008, 166, 188) have speculated that one site on Tultepec Hill, just to the west of Lake Xaltocan, may have served as an administrative center to control the extraction of lacustrine resources such as salt, fish, or waterfowl by the inhabitants of several settlements at the base of the hill.…”