Ancient Elite Island With Pyramid Found in Mexico

National Geographic News ^ | May 13, 2009 | Alexis Okeowo

[decimon]

An island for ancient elites has been found in central Mexico, archaeologists say. Among the ruins are a treasury and a small pyramid that may have been used for rituals.

The island, called Apupato, belonged to the powerful Tarascan Empire, which dominated much of western Mexico from A.D. 1400 to 1520, before the European conquest of the region.

"Because Apupato was an island and relatively unsettled, it is a neat window into how the [Lake Pátzcuaro] basin looked like years ago," said Christopher Fisher, lead investigator and archaeologist at Colorado State University.

[decimon]

Not Bosnia ping.

[max americana]

Was Jacob there?

[Erik Latranyi]

An island for ancient elites has been found in central Mexico...

It was probably taxed out of existence by someone professing to bring 'Hope and Change' to the island.

[exist]

Just curious: they were here, in the Americas, for a long time. Apparently there was a lot of fighting going on. Lots of people. Things I would think would drive technological advancement.

How come they didn't develop weapons like Europe or the Middle East or Asia? I mean like swords-- seems like a no-brainer.

I mean that's two continents worth of people you would think somebody would make a ninja star or nunchucks something.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

http://www.garyjennings.net/aztec_autumn.htm

This seems to be proof of Gary Jennings's “Aztec” books.

He describes this island in detail.

He writes semi-historical novels that are very graphic.

[decimon]

Just curious: they were here, in the Americas, for a long time.

The time they had established civilizations may have been short as compared to Eurasia. Other than that, I don't know.

[decimon]

This seems to be proof of Gary Jennings's “Aztec” books.

He describes this island in detail.

Our great discovery may be what the locals have always called, "The island."

[TaxPayer2000]

This is an island pyramid?

[Captain Rhino]

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF):

While human populations probably have no great differences in inherent intellect or ingenuity, the unequal distribution of critical starting resources (domesticable plants, animals, useful ores, etc.) means that some societies got a very significant headstart (like thousands of years) in the development of advanced material and cultural technologies. In other words, its pretty hard to beat Spanish armor and calvary when there are no deposits of iron in Central America and your only beast of burden, the llama, can only carry a load of about 100 lbs.

To gain some insight into the effects of the unequal distribution of resources, read “Guns, Germs, and Steel: the Fates of Human Societies” by Jered Diamond.

Here is an Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Guns-Germs-Steel-Fates-Societies/dp/0393061310/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242505940&sr=1-1

You can also probably find a copy in your library.

The book was also turned into a PBS Special. Here is the home page: http://www.pbs.org/gunsgermssteel/

[JimSEA]

While there was some metallurgy, it was not widespread. There was only the llama in the Andes for a beast of burden and the terrain was not suitable for wheels. The local religions never got past human sacrifice but carried it to extremes that likely blocked progress. This third reason, the persistence of theocracies only centered on religious matters - calendar and death, likely was the back breaker for the most advanced cultures.

Just my personal guess.

[exist]

I checked out the PBS link, that was really enlightening. Thanks.

[humblegunner]

It's an awesome pyramid, where is your cultural sensitivity?

Look, they piled up some rocks and everything..

[decimon]

This is an island pyramid?

Well, uhhh...well, uhh...it's probably seen better days.

[Prodigal Son]

No horses. Horses and other beasts of burden solved/helped solve many problems for the people on the other continents.

You think about the plains aboriginal people on the North American continent- their major beast of burden was themselves. When they wanted to pack up the tipi and move to the next place, they had to drag it by hand. Having a good sturdy wife would have been a big asset I suppose.

They would most assuredly still be in the stone age if Europeans had not shown up.

[Nabber]

“the terrain was not suitable for wheels”?

Tell the local Indian population that; they’ve been using carts in that area ever since the Spanish came and told them “hey, look at these neat cart thingees, they can be pulled by people or llamas....”

I’m told that the Indian response was a slap to the forehead and a big “Doh!”.

[EggsAckley]

Heheheheh.

[SunkenCiv]

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[ApplegateRanch]

I mean that's two continents worth of people you would think somebody would make a ninja star or nunchucks something.

...or a wheel?

[ApplegateRanch]

Or, just maybe, the Asians ran out their weak and feeble minded across bearing land bridge.