Ihuatzio is an archeological site located at the southern slopes of Cerro Tariaqueri, just north of the town named Ihuatzio, in the state of Michoacan. This site is located not far from the south-eastern shore of Lake Pátzcuaro and was used as both an astronomical observatory and a ceremonial center.

Although there has been habitation in this region for millennia, the most recent human settlements include two different occupational periods. The first group corresponds to Nahuatl language speaking people and occurred between 900 and 1200 CE. The second group corresponds to the maximum development reached by the Purépecha Culture and occurred between 1200 and 1530 CE, which settlements was centered in the Lake Patzcuaro area.

By the late 1400s, the Purépecha Culture rivaled that of the Aztecs, expanding their territory over much of what is now Michoacán and into part of Colima, Nayarit, Querétaro, Guanajuato, Guerrero and Jalisco.

There are about 45 known archaeological sites in Michoacán, but only seven are open to the public, among which include Ihuatzio, Tingambato and Tzintzuntzan, all three of which represent the rich Purépecha culture.

After noon, I drive east up out of the Lake Patzcuaro basin to a site where there is a matching pair of pyramids. Considered a national park, I have learned that there are hundreds of these pyramids, of all sizes throughout the southern and southeastern parts of México. However, I believe that there are very few pyramid sites in this part of the country, what I call the south central area.

Later, I come to find out about some 45 sites just in Michoacan.