216 MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA 
signs are given on the conventional bundles in the 
tribute lists. Garments with certain designs served as 
insignia of office for several of the priesthoods. Feather 
mosaic was highly prized and was made according to 
| several methods. Capes 
as well as shields and 
other objects were cov- 
ered with brilliant feath- 
ers so arranged as_ to 
bring out designs in the 
natural colors. 
The Tarascans. The 
Aztecs while by far the 
Fig. 78. Mexican Blanket : ap = : 
with the Design representing most important tribe oe 
Sand and Water. the fifteenth century did 
not dominate all the sur- 
rounding peoples. For instance, most of the State 
of Michoacan was controlled by the Tarascans who 
defeated every expedition sent against them. The 
list of Tarascan towns is a long one but Tzintzunt- 
zan which means the “‘Place of the Humming Birds” 
was the capital and principal stronghold. The ancient 
history of the Tarascans is little known. Although the 
archaic art was once credited to these people they do not 
appear to have been ever especially proficient in it. 
Mounds of peculiar T shape called yatacas are found in 
the Tarascan area. ‘They rise in terraces and are faced 
with slabs of stone laid without mortar. Sculptures of 
fine quality are rare in connection with these remains 
and indicate a period of florescence during late Toltecan 
times, but the reclining god of the type made famous by 
the “‘Chacmool” of Chichen Itza has been noted. 
Many fine copper celts have been unearthed in this 
highly mineralized mountain region. 
