Acámbaro (Guanajuato, Mexique) : stratégies territoriales au Postclassique récent et au début de la colonisation espagnole (XVe – XVIe siècles)

In the early 15th century, the cazonci (sovereign) Tariacuri initiated expansion of the Tarascan kingdom by starting wars of conquest. This expansion was continued by his successors. The Acámbaro region (Guanajuato, Mexico) was thus conquered in the middle of 15th century by the Tarascan kingdom. Due to the obsidian quarries of Ucareo-Zinapécuaro and salt-working on the shores of the Cuitzeo lagoon, the region became a strategic zone. These raw materials attracted the envy of the neighbouring Mexica, a people living just east of the Tarascan kingdom. As a result of this continuous threat from the Mexica, Acámbaro became a border post. Approximately a century later, Mexico fell under Spanish domination. The province of Acámbaro, a fertile valley, was very quickly exploited, in particular to supply the food necessary for the silver mines in the north and the great urban centres. Different economic principles emerge in this context, redefining settlement and territorial strategies. The preliminary results of this research suggest much exploitation of the various resources of the area in the Early Postclassic and the beginning of colonial times, resources which were vital for the development of the Tarascan kingdom and then the Spanish empire.