The site of Llano Grande is a curious one, located in the northwestern corner of the Tequila valleys. Although not clearly indicated by the map, the site is located directly within a narrow pass into the Tequila valleys from southern Nayarit. The site itself is small and scattered, but includes several closely parallel walls that cut across the plain and block the entire pass. I have interpreted this as one of a series of boundary sites defining the central area of the Teuchitlan tradition during its peak of complexity in the Classic period. Due to its isolated location, many sections of the site are in good shape, and Weigand was able to make stone by stone maps of some of the smaller structures. Wall divisions are evident atop the satellite structures of the Teuchitlan tradition circle found on the site, matching those shown in ceramic models of the architecture that have turned up in collections in the U.S. Nearby are several natural resources. The settlement is essentially built upon a source of black, green, blue, and other colored obsidian, modern opal mines are found slightly further west into the pass, red ochre is found near the opal mines, and kaolin deposits are found in various places, including just across the arroyo to the north.

	The 2000 TVRAP map of the site, by Chris Beekman, Kathy Morris-Beekman, and Manuel Cárdenas.
	The same map, emphasizing the wall system.
	A contour map of the Teuchitlan tradition circle, with approximate wall lines.

Comments to Chris Beekman