Archaeologists win the coyote-man trial that lasted 30 years in Mexico
The litigation regarding the coyote-man of Tacámbaro
an important archaeological item of Tarascan civilization
and the court has determined that the statue is “property of the nation.”
Archaeologists from the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) unearthed an important statue from the Tarascan culture almost 30 years ago for the INAH Michoacán Center
The coyote-man of Tacámbaro was discovered during drainage works in the Llanos de Canícuaro neighborhood
where during antiquity the Tarascan civilization had constructed the city of Tzintzuntza (meaning “place of the hummingbirds” in the Purépecha language.)
The sculpture depicts a coyote-man perched on a throne made of basalt
and was held on private property owned by the Hernández family until INAH recovered the sculpture through Mexico’s Federal Law on Monuments and Archaeological
It was held in private ownership by the Hernández family until INAH saved the statue through Mexico’s Federal Law on Monuments and Archaeological
The INAH Michoacán Center held a press conference to announce the court ruling about the sculpture
INAH Michoacán manager Marco Antonio Rodriguez Espinosa and Tacámbaro de Codallos mayor Artemio Moriya Sánchez thanked the Hernández Family for keeping the National Historic Heritage statue in their home during the 30-year trial and handing it over to officials after the lawsuit’s outcome was announced
Archaeologist José Luis Punzo said: “Representations of coyotes and a dozen coyote-man figures have been found in Tzintzuntzan and Ihuatzio
very similar in their form to the one from Tacámbaro
but are generally smaller in size ranging from 40 to 50 centimeters.”
“We know that the last lords of Tzintzuntzan
Next to this was another large city on Lake Pátzcuaro
where most of these sculptures have been located
One of the hypotheses is that the coyote-man sculptures could represent a dynasty that ruled this place
even before the Uacúsecha history was written” added Punzo
The Tarascan civilization (also known as the Purépecha) was a Mesoamerican civilization that governed significant sections of western Mexico during the Post-Classic Period (AD 1400-1521)
The sculpture of the coyote-man of Tacámbaro is located on the facility of the INAH Michoacán Center
where it is preserved for restoration and research
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One beauty of Mexico is its extraordinary artisans
Michoacán’s artisans topping the list
The many villages dotting the state are famous for their unique crafts
which specializes in Catrinas of all sizes
One standout for me was Santa Clara del Cobre, best known as the town of coppersmiths
A designated Magical Town (Pueblo Mágico) since 2010, Santa Clara del Cobre is located 18 kilometers from Pátzcuaro and 79 kilometers from Morelia
The Purépecha people have been working copper here since the pre-Hispanic era, which led to the town’s dominance in copper crafts well into the 19th century. After nearly dying out by the mid-20th century
82% of the town’s population makes copper items
and over 250 registered workshops in and around the city process 450 tons of copper each year
the town holds an artisan fair showcasing the many artists and studios
also choosing a queen to preside over the festivities
The book “Grandes Maestros del Arte Popular Mexicano” featured copper artist Jesús Pérez Ornelas
considered one of the most outstanding craftsmen of his time
was most famous for his intricate engraving
the beauty of his designs and the quality of his finishings
He worked well into his 70s in Mexico and abroad and was dedicated to his craft and to teaching others in Santa Clara del Cobre
passed his enormous skill onto his three sons
I was fortunate to visit the well-ventilated
who explained the fascinating steps in making this truly intricate art
“We learned how to make copper at our father’s knee from the time we were six
“Our first job was to fan the fires using huge billows called bechizo
The boy who maintains the fire is known as a zorillo
or ‘little fox.’ Almost all coppersmiths begin the trade this way.”
He pointed to the tools that surrounded him
Napoleón heated a piece of metal until the copper was red-hot and removed it from the coals and ash with large tongs
he struck the copper until it began to take shape
he reheated the piece and continued to hammer it into a small bowl
Napoleón demonstrated this by rubbing a cloth onto the copper
“And then we etch in intricate designs
My family is known for these designs made famous by my father,” he said
“The final step is a sulfuric acid bath rubbed with steel wool dipped in soap and water
Seeing the passion the family poured into every piece
and the generational history of the family itself
I was hopeful I would find something to take home with me
unlike the shops that line downtown Santa Clara — which is well worth the stroll — there were more pieces in various stages of design than there were finished works
I then spotted a stunningly beautiful copper bowl on a workbench set to one side
When I learned it was for sale (4,000 pesos)
and it now sits proudly on a credenza in my living room
where I will treasure it for years to come
The writer divides her time between Canada and Zihuatanejo
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Among the victims were the security secretary and the police director of the city of Coyuca de Benítez, Guerrero. Anonymous sources told Reuters that these officials were lured to a location on the Acapulco-Zihuatanejo highway by a false report of a shootout
The Government of Coyuca de Benítez expressed gratitude for the presence of the State and Municipal Police
are working to restore and ensure the tranquility of the local communities
This incident is not the first attack on public officials recently. In mid-September, the Guerrero Prosecutor's Office reported an attack on Deputy Prosecutor Alejandro Hernandez Mendoza and Director of Investigation Rafael Sosa Lagunas
They were leaving the Prosecutor's Office parking lot in the state capital at night when they were assaulted with firearms
Reuters reported that criminal groups have been vying for control over the lucrative opium poppy trade and other smuggling routes passing through the region
On the same Monday, in Michoacán, five civilians were killed during a failed attack against the brother of the mayor of the municipality of Tacámbaro de Codallos
The attack also resulted in injuries to three people
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