Page 242 - Vol_2_Archaeology of Manila Galleon Seaport Trade

Chapter 13
Archaeological Distribution of Chinese
Porcelain in Mexico

Patricia Fournier and Roberto Junco Sanchez

Columbus dream to arrive in China did not come true until Magellan crossed the
Paci!c Ocean and arrived in Southeast Asia connecting the American Continent
with the ancient routes of the maritime Silk Road. Later several expeditions crossed
the ocean but could not get back through the Paci!c. In 1565 the Legazpi expe-
dition managed to return to New Spain (modern Mexico) and by 1574 started the
Manila Galleon trade route which lasted for more than 240 years. New Spain began
importing great quantities of Asian goods like spices, silks and porcelain objects.
Porcelain became a desired object and even local ceramics emulated the blue and
white traditional color. This chapter deals with the distribution of Chinese porce-
lains recovered in archaeological excavations and surveys in several Mexican sites,
attesting the wide distribution of porcelain objects. Most Chinese porcelain vessels,
ornaments, and sculptures have been found in Mexico City and Acapulco. Our
work demonstrates that Chinese wares were traded and used in urban and rural
settings all over New Spain, as symbols of status and global taste.

P. Fournier (&)
Escuela Nacional de Antropología E Historia (ENAH), Instituto Nacional
de Antropología e Historia (INAH), Mexico City, Mexico
e-mail: pat_fournier@yahoo.com
R. Junco Sanchez
Subdirección de Arqueología Subacuática (SAS), Instituto Nacional
de Antropología E Historia (INAH), Mexico City, Mexico
e-mail: robjunco@mac.com
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019 215
C. Wu et al. (eds.), Archaeology of Manila Galleon Seaports and Early Maritime
Globalization, The Archaeology of Asia-Paci!c Navigation 2,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9248-2_13