ABSTRACT
The Tecuexes were one of the many ethnic groups living in West Mexico when the Spaniards arrived in the sixteenth century. This chapter provides an attempt to correlate ethnohistorical and archaeological data, and thereby gain some understanding of this neglected corner of Mesoamerica and deals with the Tecuexes. Relations between Tecuexes and Cocas in the Guadalajara area were peaceful and they may have fought as allies to drive back Tarascans who invaded their province shortly before the Spaniards arrived. The shaft tomb complex is the earliest evidence for humans found so far in the Guadalajara area. In Cuinacuaro the Indians ate human flesh, and the Spaniards found there many remains of roasted Indians. In the Magdalena Basin closely woven reeds were used to manufacture balsas on which the Indians stood to propel themselves around the lagoon by means of a pole or paddle, and many well-made "canoes" are mentioned by the Visitacion.
