The Tarasca Project: A Cooperative Enterprise of the National Polytechnic Institute,

Mexican Bureau-Indian Affairs, and the University of California

Author(s): Ralph L. Beals
Source: American Anthropologist, New Series, Vol. 42, No. 4, Part 1 (Oct. - Dec., 1940), pp.
708-712
Published by: Wiley on behalf of the American Anthropological Association
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/663684
Accessed: 12-02-2020 01:09 UTC

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708 AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST [N. s., 42, 1940

priest, of course, knows that there are only four, and he wi

than four times, although he may on rare occasions buy inf
other communities after his fourth-degree initiation.
LAURENCE J. LAFLEUR
BROOKLYN COLLEGE

THE TARASCA PROJECT: A COOPERATIVE ENTERPRISE OF THE

NATIONAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, MEXICAN BUREAU-
INDIAN AFFAIRS, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA'
Despite the importance of the Tarasca Indians of Michoacan to many funda-
mental problems of the Mexican area, they have been surprisingly neglected in all
fields of study. Only the scantiest of archaeological work by Lumholtz, Gamio,
Leon, and modernly by Caso and Borbolla is recorded. Despite many authoritative
pronouncements on the Michoacan area, it is quite fair to say that-actually we
cannot indicate with certainty what of the varied archaeological materials available
from Michoacan are Tarasca. As the Tarasca occupied an area exceeded only by
that of the Nahua peoples, and perhaps the Maya, among the more civilized tribes
of Mexico, it seems probable that many problems fundamental to the general devel-
opment of Mexican prehistory await solution in this region.
In the field of ethnography, despite the fact that there are probably over 50,000
individuals of Tarasca culture and more than half that number of Tarasca speech,
the record is virtually a complete blank. Some documentary researches have been
made on the culture of the conquest period, notably by Nicolas Le6n, but there are
still vast barely known historical sources. Until 1939 the linguistics were likewise
untouched, our knowledge being dependent upon the grammars and texts written
by missionary workers of colonial times. Neither the problems of central Mexico
nor of the important strategic west coast and Sierra region of Northwestern Mexico
are susceptible of final solution until the Tarasca have been adequately studied.
From another viewpoint the Tarasca also afford unusually interesting oppor-
tunities for study. Until very recently the area was relatively inaccessible and the
majority of the Tarasca lived in comparative isolation. It is known that their cul-
ture had undergone a number of interesting modifications through the influences of
colonial missions, but it has remained fairly stable since that time. The recent open-
ing of the heart of the Tarasca area by the highway from Mexico City to Guadala-
jara and by the branch highway to Uruapan makes rapid change in the near future
almost certain. A numerous, relatively homogeneous, and compactly situated group
is thus available for study under changing conditions, affording an excellent field for
social anthropology. In all probability any properly made studies will have a high
degree of practical utility for any enlightened administrators seeking to ease the
shock of cultural change and to guide this change in constructive directions.

1 This paper
paper was
was presented
presented toto the
the First
FirstInter-American
Inter-AmericanCongress
Congresson onIndian
IndianLife,
Life,Patz-
Patz-
cuaro, Mich.,
Mich., Mexico,
Mexico, April
April 14-24,
14-24, 1940,
1940,asasan
anofficial
officialcontribution
contributionofofthe
theDelegation
Delegationofofthe
the
United States of Mexico.

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 BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS 709

The idea of a thorough and integrated st

in the Department of Anthropology of th
of the National Polytechnic Institute in Me
discussed by Dr Paul Kirchhoff of the Na
Ralph Beals in December, 1938. In the spr
bolla, head of the Department of Anthropo
tute, visited California and discussed the p
and Dr A. L. Kroeber, at that time making
between the University of California, the
Bureau of Indian Affairs of Mexico. As a re
survey trip under the sponsorship of the th
At this time also a preliminary plan of rese
to the institutions. As a result of these activities the three institutions have ac-
cepted the idea of a cooperative study and in 1940 cooperative field work began
what it is hoped will be an extensive collaboration between the Bureau of Indian
Affairs, the University of California, and the National Polytechnic Institute.
In a large study of the nature proposed, it is impossible to lay down the precise
limits of the investigation. Unfamiliarity with all the field conditions and possi-
bilities together with the probability that many important new phases will develop
during the course of the project make it certain that the present plans will undergo
considerable modification in the course of the several years it will take to carry out
the program as initially organized. As the subsequent remarks will make amply
clear, the program of investigation owes much to the work of Dr Manuel Gamio at
Teotihuacan, to the work of Dr Robert Redfield, and to the program of investiga-
tion of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, and to Dr Miguel O. Mendizabal's
as yet unpublished work on the Valle de Mezquital. The project should profit, not
only by utilizing the experiences of others, but by virtue of the clearly definable
area and people. Thanks to our predecessors in this field of work, we should be able
to approach the project with a firmer grasp of problems and benefit by having the
integrated approach clearly envisioned from the start.
The focal point of the investigation is the ethnology and social anthropology of
the Tarasca of today. The contemporary culture and the social structure through
which it functions, as well as the manifold processes of its present rapid modifica-
tion, are of paramount importance. In this objective there is, naturally, no orig-
inality. Certain emphases nevertheless seem indicated already. The highly complex
and specialized economic life of the Tarasca is marked for particular investigation.
Furthermore, Tarasca culture and society are unusually well integrated with those
of their neighbors and it is proposed that these interactions be thoroughly explored.
This will probably take the investigators to some extent into the surrounding Mexi-
can communities. Despite the homogeneous nature of Tarasca culture, it neverthe-
less presents a number of distinctive geographic types. These also will be examined
in detail.

At the same time it is felt that contemporary culture and its changes cannot

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710 AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST [N. s., 42, 1940

be understood without the most thorough knowledge possible of th

people, the nature of the population itself, and the environment
culture functions. The program consequently envisions the fulles
every possible scientific approach. It is our hope to trace present Ta
torically back to Conquest times. The historical studies will be limit
Tarasca culture as it appears in successive periods as far as the do
permit. Back of the historical period we hope an adequate archaeo
enable us first to define Tarasca culture of the Conquest period and
as far back in time as our resources and the evidence permit. In phy
ogy it is our hope to determine whatever definitely Tarasca phys
and the degree to which this type persists today. The problems
pathology, and epidemiology are among those also to be considered
flora, fauna, and the environmental resources all await an adequat
A proper linguistic study (fortunately well underway) will add
ties of full understanding of the culture. In the end we hope to k
rasca were and how they have changed, what their culture was, w
is today, and the major steps of the transition from past to present
over to learn the relations of Tarasca culture to its environmenta
reciprocal relations with surrounding cultures both anciently and m
Even though the preceding outline omits a great deal of detail, it
this program calls for the collaboration of many field workers an
sion of labor. As the archaeology promises to have close relations w
ready done by Dr Isabel Kelly for the University of California on t
Mexico from Colima to the north, it is hoped that this phase of
under her direction. The physical anthropology will be directed b
sisted by Dr Ada d'Aloja, both of the National Polytechnic Inst
teological material has already been collected and a start made on
vey of the present population. The purely linguistic aspects of t
ready well advanced by a staff working under Dr Morris Swadesh
Polytechnic Institute and the Council of Native Languages. The l
being financed by the Department of Indian Affairs in Mexico. N
loaned by the American Council of Learned Societies, Sr Alfredo
Director of the National Museum of Yucatan, Sr Ignacio M. del
Wigberto Jim6nez Moreno, Maxwell D. Lathrop, Juan Luna CArd
Le6n, Fraacisca Le6n and others are assisting in this work. Still a
ment is the correlation of such phases of the linguistic and ethno
may prove necessary. The historical work, including both the pr
the post-Colombian history of the Tarasca, will be directed by Dr
of the National Polytechnic Institute. The documentary evidence
partially reexamined by Dr Kirchhoff in connection with a new edi
old source on the Tarasca, the Relaci6n de los Indios de Michoac
preparing and which is to be published soon by the Mexican Depa
Affairs. Dr Kirchhoff has discovered much new material on the pos
asca and the location and character of their neighbors. While a nu

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 BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS 711

posed historical studies would normally be

that with an anthropologist directing this p
more usable by the anthropologists. This is,
but a recognition of differences in interest
social anthropology will be directed by Dr B
to the area, and who is now in the field. In a
by Sr Alfonso Villa Rojas, kindly loaned to
the Carnegie Institution of Washington thro
An ethnographic questionnaire is being ci
further preliminary orientation. It is expect
available from the two institutions.
Even in the abbreviated form in which it is here presented, the project may ap-
pear overly ambitious. It is indeed somewhat doubtful whether completion will be
possible even with the resources of both institutions unless outside assistance is forth-
coming. To avoid the possibility of wasting efforts and funds through inability to
carry out the full plan, the various phases of the project have been outlined in great
detail and then broken down into specific undertakings which will be complete in
themselves. These will be component parts of the larger whole and the preliminary
view suggests that even as independent research jobs they will gain rather than lose
by being definitely integrated with a comprehensive plan.
Although the project is sponsored by the University of California and the Na-
tional Polytechnic Institute, others may participate in some degree. As mentioned
above, the Department of Indian Affairs in Mexico is financing the linguistic work.
It is also contributing financial support to the initial ethnographic work. It is hoped
that the National Institute of History and Anthropology in Mexico will collaborate
in the archaeological part of the program. The Carnegie Institution of Washington
and the American Council of Learned Societies have loaned men. In addition Dr
Dale Stewart of the U. S. National Museum has visited the area and made sugges-
tions for the program of physical anthropology.
In formulating the plans developed thus far, virtually everyone mentioned in
this survey has contributed in some degree. In addition, Dr A. L. Kroeber of the
University of California at Berkeley has given large amounts of time to planning
the program. The authors now hope for additional criticism and suggestions.
As indicated in the footnote at the beginning of this article, the paper was pre-
sented to the First Inter-American Congress on Indian Life held at Patzcuaro,
Mich., Mexico, April 14-24, 1940, as an official contribution of the Delegation of the
United States of Mexico. In Plenary Session the Congress adopted the following
resolutions (text unofficial) referring to the paper.
The First Inter-American Congress on Indian Life recommends:
1. That in so far as possible investigations of native peoples should be made in
accordance with integrated plans of research.
2. That the permanent institute established by this Congress be urged to foster
integrated and coordinated programs of research similar to those planned in the
Tarasca area by the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico and the University of

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712 AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST [N. s., 42, 1940

California (Tarasca Project) and that it especially encourag

American projects of this character. DANIEL RUBIN
INSTITUTO POLITCNICO NACIONAL

Mexico, D. F. RALPH L. BEALS

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, Los ANGELES

FIRST SEASON'S ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORK AT

CAMPANA SAN ANDRES, EL SALVADOR
The first season of archaeological work at a site known as Campana
in the Republic of El Salvador, has been completed by the Middle A
search Institute of Tulane University, concluding in May 1940 with t
the rains.
The Dimick Archaeological Expedition of this Institute met with gratifying
success in this initial season of what is expected to be perhaps five seasons of work
at that site. The expedition was financed and directed by Mr. and Mrs. John M.
Dimick, and supervised by the writer with the writer's wife as expedition
photographer.
Kind permission to conduct archaeological work in his country was granted by
Sr Dr Don Miguel Angel Araujo, Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores of the Republic
of El Salvador.
Campana San Andres is close beside the International Highway at its junctu
with the Rio Sucio, 32 kilometers west of San Salvador. It is in a small valley,
Finca San Andr6s, property of Don Francisco Duefias. The archaeological site
about three miles in length by approximately two miles in width, and contain
least 60 distinct mounds. The largest, more than 60 feet in height, is known local
as the Campana. It is bell-shaped, resting on a large square terrace. This domin
mound gives its name to the site.
Mounds A, B, C, and D enclose most of two sides of an elevated (or filled) p
some 200 feet square, at a distance of about 700 feet from the southwest corne
the Campana mound. This group obviously is second in size and importance to
Campana mound. Thus work was begun in this enclosure--called Duefias Plaz
the records of this dig.
Mound A and Mound C were the scene of most intensive operations, b
additional work was done in five other mounds, while a pit approximately 8 f
square was sunk to a depth of 11 feUt at the intersection of lines bisecting the cen
of Mound A and Mound C. This was somewhat southeast of the center of the pl
Digging of the test-pit was the first act of actual excavation. Three adobe floor
a depth of about 10 feet were encountered, while quantities of scattered small pol
chrome and undecorated sherds of typical Salvadorean wares were found at
depths from the surface downward. These sherds are common over the whole s
The centers of Mound A and Mound C, fronting the plaza, were excavated t
width of more than 40 feet each, and to a depth of about 20 feet in Mound A
10 feet in Mound C. Identical types of construction were encountered in eac
mound: plaster ("mortero") walls and steps, supported by adobe blocks with po

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