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Rh less than 3°25 metres in thickness, representing an even longer period; while the "valley" type occurs on the surface and to a depth only of 0-40 metres, and shows no overlapping with the remains below, thus indicating an abrupt transition.

The Tarascan remains (Pl. XVII, 2-6) which are found in numbers from Lake Pazcuaro to Lake Chapala, bear a close resemblance to the fragments from the lowest strata of the valley. The paste is usually well-mixed, but not so well fired as the Aztec and Teotihuacan ware, and constantly shows at a fracture a dark line at the core, the properly baked portion being in the main a greyish buff. A burnished red slip is often employed, with pattern in white, the latter being frequently furnished with an incised outline. The most common shapes are vases and bowls with three solid or cascabel feet, the latter enclosing rattles, vases with moulded bodies or in human or animal form, and plain vases with rounded bases, a feature uncommon throughout the rest of the area which forms the subject of this section. Bowls with incised bottoms, to serve as graters, are common, and the incised lines are sometimes arranged swastika-wise, a feature found again in Cuicatlan pottery. Miniature tripod bowls to use in connection with the spindle also occur, and the painted ornament of these and larger vessels shows a tendency to asymmetry. In the Tarascan area, extending far to the north, are found occasional vases in the clay "champ-levé" described above, together with traces of the brilliant blue-green ornament. Figurines of all sizes are common in this area, often covered with a red slip and painted black and white. Many of these represent men and women engaged in their ordinary occupations, and illustrate well the shoulder-cloaks, large ear-rings and head-bands worn by this people. Some are flat and solid, others hollow, but most show elongated heads, and often exaggerated thighs and slender waists.