ceramic-making at present
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These towns are not the only locations of ceramic production in central Mexico. For example in Tlayacapan, in the state of Morelos, potters are specialized in the manufacture of lead glazed objects for domestic purposes and for the tourist market (Barbosa 2005). Also Chignahuapan in the state of Tlaxcala is concentrated in the production of lead glazed domestic artifacts. There are also a few other places where this industry has followed different directions. For example, in Los Reyes Metzontla, close to Tehuacan in the state of Puebla, potters have specialized in the production of fine domestic and decorative objects for the urban market, which are formed, finished and decorated according to pre-Hispanic techniques (de la Vega 2007). Until recently this activity was concentrated in the production of comales and was only to complement the income obtained by other means outside the town, as many inhabitants were day laborers. However, state programs of development began to distribute these ceramics in Mexico City and other cities, created competitions to stimulate artistic creativity and organized courses for young people. The result was that many families began to make pottery, and that production was reoriented to the decorative market. Today potters of Los Reyes win national contests and are considered as a model of sustainable development. There are also other places where the ceramic industry is still present but will probably soon disappear as knowledge is not being transmitted to younger generations. For example, in San Pedro Tlaquilpan, close to Zempoala in the state of Hidalgo, and in Santiago CasandejĂŠ and in Basoco, close to Temascalcingo in the state of Mexico, the last potters are older people who no longer work. In San Juan Coajomulco, also close to Temascalcingo, and Tepexoyuca, south of the city of Toluca, in the state of Mexico pottery is only occasionally made by older people. There are several reasons for the interruption of this craft. First, young people now prefer to study or to migrate to nearby cities and even to the United States. Also this industry was reoriented after pottery lost its prominent place in domestic contexts; thus production centers are now concentrated in a few locations with easy access to the main trade routes. In addition, in some towns the scarcity of clay or fuel and the proximity to urban centers have been important restrictions. Those places where ceramic-making is disappearing will be considered in the following study, although the focus of attention will be the towns in which pottery is today a living industry.