HOLMES ANNIVERSARY VOLUME 



the same ware with the exception of one of the large ones, which has 

 a polished slip covering the entire surface, and another that was used 

 for cooking purposes, the latter being the only one that shows evi- 

 dence of contact with fire. 



Pottery figures representing the human form are quite common 

 in many parts of the Tarascan area, but in the mounds under con- 

 sideration and in the area adjacent thereto only fragments were found. 

 They are typical examples of the technique in vogue among the an- 

 cient inhabitants in representing the face. The treatment of eyes and 

 mouth is somewhat unusual, and the general form of the face places 

 the effigies in a class distinctly local in character. One pottery animal 

 head and the stem of a pottery pipe were found. 



Mention has been made of a fiat, mortar-like clay tablet found in 

 Mound i. This specimen is seven inches square and three-quarters 

 of an inch in maximum thickness, and the shallow depression is five 

 inches in diameter. The sides taper from the edge of the depression, 

 and the corners are slightly rounded. The surface is covered with a 

 heavy red slip, but is without decoration. The use of this object is 

 problematical, but it was probably employed in ceremony. 



The results of the investigations in the two mounds seem to indi- 

 cate that the bodies were interred in a ceremonial manner. Most of 

 them lay on the back, in an extended position, with the arms at the 

 sides; the head was toward the north, and the grave was marked by 

 one or more stones set on edge. In no case was the grave inclosed 

 with stones, but, as a rule, there were either four or five large pieces 

 of volcanic scoria set on end along the western side of the grave, and 

 almost invariably they slanted eastward. The spaces between the 

 stones were chinked with small pieces of scoria and potsherds. Most 

 of the large stones were irregular in form and were unworked. In some 

 cases a flat stone rested horizontally over the head of the burial. The 

 predominating mortuary offering was pottery, only two instances 

 being noted where ornaments were buried with the dead. 



Inability to continue the work made it impossible to determine 

 how much of this group of yacatas has suffered from the inroads of 

 the Spaniards. No evidence of building foundations or of other intru- 

 sive structures were found in Mound 2, and it may be that Mound 1 

 is the only earthwork that had been disturbed. In all events there 

 remains an interesting field for future workers, and it is the belief of 

 the writer that more extended exploration would result in adding 

 much to our knowledge of the ancient people of the Tierra Caliente. 



Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation 

 New York City 



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