Ahuacatlán

History

This part of Nayarit had one of the densest concentrations of shaft tombs, the underground burial chambers built between about 200 BC and AD 600. One tomb found at Las Cebollas held two skeletons with 83 ceramic vessels, figurines, flutes, shell objects, and 125 sea snails, evidence of trade among the peoples of that time. Later, during the Aztatlán tradition, the small lordship of Ahuacatlán ruled several subject villages, and the petroglyphs at La Campana and El Terrero date from that era.

Tradition says the town was founded by Nahua migrants who chose to stay behind under a leader named Huaxicar. Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán passed through in 1529, and by then Ahuacatlán was already a crossroads where different peoples traded. In 1550 the Franciscans founded a convent here to evangelize and to teach trades.

Until the mid-19th century it was one of the most important towns in southern Nayarit. The Camino Real linking Guadalajara with the port of San Blas ran through the heart of town, and residents lived from trade, mule driving, and farming. Today agriculture and ranching still lead the economy, joined by lime packing, honey, and tequila.