Casa de Allende Museum

Izcuinapan Archaeology Exhibition

Discover how anthropologist Alberto Aveleyra curated the Izcuinapan Hall at San Miguel’s Casa de Allende Museum, bringing back centuries of history and hundreds of artifacts to the community.

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Research Summary

In 2022, San Miguel de Allende unveiled a new archaeological exhibition at the Casa de Allende Museum: the Izcuinapan Hall, curated by Alberto Aveleyra and his mentor archaeologist Gaby Zepeda. This project was more than just an exhibition — it represented the return of over 2,000 artifacts that had been removed from San Miguel for decades. With their repatriation, the city could finally present its indigenous past in a permanent and dignified way.

The name Izcuinapan is the indigenous name for the place where San Miguel was founded, it means River of Dogs. Through careful archaeological recovery and documentation, Alberto and his team traced the cultural continuity of this region across a thousand years. The exhibition integrates artifacts from daily life, ritual, and art to illustrate the richness of San Miguel’s indigenous heritage.

A central aspect of the exhibition is its decolonial approach. For too long, the official narrative of San Miguel began with the Spanish conquest and independence movement. By curating Izcuinapan, Alberto and Gaby restored the indigenous voices and histories that shaped the region long before colonization. This reframing not only educates visitors but also reaffirms the cultural identity of San Miguel’s residents.

Displayed objects include ceramic vessels, effigies, prestige goods, and ritual items that highlight the complexity and spirituality of the local people. The hall also connects these artifacts to broader Mesoamerican traditions, showing how San Miguel was integrated into trade, belief systems, and cultural networks.

The exhibition was made possible through the funding of the Friends of the Museum Association. Their mission is to protect San Miguel’s biocultural heritage and ensure that future generations understand and value their past.

By combining research, preservation, and community involvement, the Izcuinapan Hall has become one of the most important cultural projects in San Miguel in recent decades.

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