220 



MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA 



known as chalchihuitl. Ornaments of obsidian, a 

 black volcanic glass, and of crystal quartz, are fairly 

 common and others of opal and amethyst have been 

 found. Pearls and emeralds were secured in trade from 

 the south. 



The textile decorations in vogue at the coming of the 

 Spaniards can be restored from the pictures in codices. 

 Mantles were often demanded as tribute and the de- 

 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 covered with 

 brilliant feathers so ar- 

 ranged as to bring out de- 

 signs in the natural colors. 



The Tarascans. The 



Aztecs while by far the 

 most important tribe in 

 the fifteenth century did 

 not dominate all the sur- 

 rounding peoples. For in- 

 stance, most of the State 

 of Michoacan was con- 

 trolled by the Tarascan 



tribe who defeated every expedition sent against them. 

 The list of Tarascan towns is a long one but Tzintzun- 

 tzan which means the " Place of the Humming Birds" 

 was the capital and principal stronghold. The ancient 

 history of the Tarascans is little known. Large and 

 striking specimens of archaic art were formerly ac- 

 credited to this people, but without good reason. It is 

 likely that archaic characters in art were maintained in 



Fig. 80. Mexican Blanket 

 with the Design representing 

 Sand and Water. 



