Conclusion

Although Chupícuaro excavation and documentation are few and far between, the interpretation of data from various excavations across Mesoamerica allow reasoned speculation about the daily life, ideology, society, politics, and economics of the site. Further research is necessary to test these hypotheses and to provide new questions that will reveal even more of the lifeways of Chupícuaro. In the meantime, polychrome ceramic vessels and figurines will continue to attract admiration for their beauty and striking visual impact. I present this history of Chupícuaro archaeology in the hope that the Chupícuaro ceramic pieces from the Miami University Department of Anthropology’s collections will further promote the appreciation of these artifacts and the value of archaeological study throughout Mesoamerica.