Tzintzuntzan, Michoacán, Mexico — The Pacific Coast (and Central Highlands)
Tzintzuntzan Archeological Zone
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 2, 2022
1. Tzintzuntzan Archeological Zone Marker
Tzintzuntzan significa en purépecha "Lugar de Colibríes". Ubicado en la parte oriental de la Cuenca de Pátzcuaro, es sin lugar a duda el asentamiento prehispánico más importante del estado tarasco. Es una impresionante plataforma en cuya parte superior se levantan cinco construcciones de planta mixta - rectangular y semicircular - de cuerpos escalonados, conocidas comunmente como "yácatas". Estas sirvieron de base a los templos. También cuenta con construcciones del tipo "palacio".
Tzintzuntzan funcionaba como centro ceremonial y desde aquí se ejercía el poder político, military religioso. En este sitio habitaba el personaje de mayor jerarquía dentro de los diversos estratos sociales. Los tarascos, que se autonombraban Eneani y Tzacapuhireti, llegaron procedentes del norte a Zacapu,conducidos por su cazonci quien era a la vez gran guerrero y gran sacerdote. Después de haber habitado algunos sitios cercanos, se establecieron en las inmediaciones de Pátzcuaro. Allí, bajo el mando de Tariácuri, el señorío entró en su época de consolidación y expansión, obteniendo la fuerza política y militar suficiente para iniciar invasiones y exigir tributo a los pueblos sometidos.
Antes de su muerte, Tariácuri dividió el señorío en tres partes: a su hijo Hiquingare lo ubicó en Pátzcuaro; a su sobrino Hiripan en Ihuatzio y a su otro sobrino Tanganxoan en Tzintzuntzan. Con este cazonci Tzintzuntzan adquirió la supremacía del señorío y se convirtió en la principal capital del estado tarasco.
Ixo Tziuntzani isi arhikuaresti jucha'arhi ireta jimboki ixo uani kuini tzintzuni jaraxpka ka utasi jamasindi iapuru isi, uandanasindi eski ixo ireta iontki anapu kanekua k'eri ambespka ka kanekua jukaparakua jukaraspka jucha'ri p'urhepecheri.
Yakataecha kanekua sesi ukuaresti ka k'eri'sti kotzekua karakua uaxatanasti iumu yakataecha iorati ka uirhipiti tsangui tioxo uranaka ka jarasti materu ambe uaxatatini palacio arhikata.
Tziuntzani ioni anapu unasiramti k'uinchekua para tiosichani ka materu jasi p'indekua ka ixuetini jaramusiramti petamuticha iamendu jasi ambe ixo irekaspti k'eri acha exeni petamuti o kazontzi. Taraskuecha tzangui arhikuareamka eneani o tzacapu ireti niarastiksi ixo ka tza junasti karakua isi o tzacapuisi; indeni k'uiripuni orena rikuasti ma kazonci, i kazonci k'eri petamutisti ka k'eri achaesti. Ekiksi ixo niaraka iapurus jamati irekani ka ixoksi pakarasti japundaru uanamukuni.
Ixuetini tariakuri kani anchikuaresti para k'ejkuni i amendu iretani ka iamendu sesi jajkuni isis uti k'eni ka inapekua jukani, ka undani materu iretaechani japunda uanamukuni kurakuani tributo.
Eki tariakuri kanekua t'arhepepkia uajpaechani ererakua intsa'sti, isi tanipuru untasti imani k'eri echeri; uajpani hiquingareni inskusti petatzekuaru; imangui arikuareka hirepani axasti jihuatzo; ireta. I cazoncinguni Tziuntzani kani k'eri ukuartspti ka k'eri ireta ukuarentasti niarani jindeni capital p'urhepecheri.
Tzintzuntzan Archeological Zone
Tzintzuntzan in Purépecha means "Place of Hummingbirds". Located in the eastern part of the Patzcuaro Basin, it is undoubtedly the most important pre-Hispanic settlement in the Tarascan state. It is an impressive platform on whose top stand five constructions of both rectangular and semicircular staggered bodies, commonly known as "yácatas". These served as the basis for the temples. It also has constructions of the "palace" type.
Tzintzuntzan functioned as a ceremonial center and from here political, military religious power was exercised. In this place lived the members of the hierarchy within the various social strata. The Tarascans, who called themselves Eneani and Tzacapuhireti, arrived from the north from Zacapu, led by their cazonci who was both a great warrior and a great priest. After having inhabited some nearby sites, they settled in the vicinity of Pátzcuaro. There, under the command of Tariácuri, the lordship entered its era of consolidation and expansion, obtaining sufficient political and military strength to initiate invasions and demand tribute from the subject peoples.
Before his death, Tariácuri divided the lordship into three parts: his son Hiquingare was located in Pátzcuaro; his nephew Hiripan in Ihuatzio and his other nephew Tanganxoan in Tzintzuntzan. With this cazonci Tzintzuntzan acquired the supremacy of the lordship and became the main capital of the Tarascan state.
Erected by Instituto
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Architecture • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 19° 37.516′ N, 101° 34.348′ W. Marker is in Tzintzuntzan, Michoacán. It can be reached from Avenida Las Yácatas, on the right when traveling west. The marker is on the grounds of the Tzintzuntzan Archeological Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tzintzuntzan MIC 58440, Mexico. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Western Mexico, in the Bajío, and on the Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, specifically in Mesoamerica, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, and in the Western Hemisphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, a Spanish colony, and the Aztec Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Substructure (a few steps from this marker); Petroglyphs: Messages in the Rock (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 2, 2022
2. Tzintzuntzan Archeological Zone Marker
The Spanish text of the marker is near a large map of the site.
More about this marker. This style of marker is usually near the entrance to an archeological site in Mexico.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 2, 2022
3. Tzintzuntzan Archeological Zone Marker in Purépecha
This additional panel from the marker was located nearby on the other side of the maintenance building.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 2, 2022
4. Tzintzuntzan Archeological Zone Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2023, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 246 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 19, 2023, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
