Famsi: Tarascan Copper Metallurgy at Itziparatzico (2003)

Excavation indicates Itziparatzico was an area of sophisticated copper metallurgy. It is not determined if work was for domestic use or trade. One important implication, however, is that copper is not found locally. Because the smelting process required three times more charcoal than ore, it is thought that Itziparatzico became the area for metallurgy for economical purposes.