L’archéologie de la Mésoamérique septentrionale vue depuis le massif de Barajas (Guanajuato)

Abstract

The archaeological project of Barajas fits in perfectly with the questionings of archaeological studies on the northern limits of Mesoamerica. The remains preserved on the slopes of this volcanic massif of the Guanajuato state (Mexico) testify to the latter times of a history which began as early as the first millennium before our era, when the agrarian communities from central and western Mesoamerica colonized the areas located to the north of the Lerma River. Following the example of other sites in the area, the Barajas shows the signs of an important regional reorganization which occurred from AD 600 and preceded the whole desertion of the place around the 10th century. During these four last centuries of the settlement, a specific social, economic and ideological organisation was set up which foreshadowed some aspects of the Mesoamerican societies of the Postclassic Period (AD 900-1521).

Keywords

• Guanajuato
• ideology
• Mexico
• septentrional Mesoamerica
• Social organization