The Villages of the Serrania de las Cruces and their Political-administrative Structure before the Spanish Incursion

Abstract

At the end of the 15th century, the Toluca Valley was inhabited by numerous altepemes, located in different geographical areas, including the mountain slopes and the banks of the Chignahuapan River. Research on indigenous lordships before contact with the Spanish still lacks research, especially in the continuity or transformation of the peoples under the rule of the Triple Alliance. A region of interest is located northeast of Toluca, between the Chignahuapan River and the Sierra de las Cruces. In this area there are various Otomi settlements, such as Mimiapan, Jilotzingo, Zolotepec, Huitzizilapan, Xochicuautla and Atarasquillo, whose study is relevant to understand their integration into the political structure imposed by the Triple Alliance.