A new carved stele (called Monument 32) has been reported from the Huastec site of Tamtoc (also spelled Tamtok, Tantoc, el Tantoque, or Tantocob), located in San Luis Potosi state in Mexico. This enormous stone monument [8 x 12 meters (24 x 12 feet)] is possibly a lunar calendar, made between 1150 and 900 BC; and researcher Guillermo Ahuja believes the stone's iconography resembles that of the Olmec. Based on language, artifact and sculptural characteristics, the Huastecs (or Teenek) are thought to be descendants of gulf coast Maya peoples, who arrived in what is now San Luis Potosi ca 1200 BC.
Tamtoc is located near a pass in the Sierra Tanchipas and on the Tamuín river, both important transportation networks. The main occupation at Tamtoc dates to the Classic (AD 500-900) and Post-Classic (AD 900-1200) periods. Prior to this latest excavation, the site was estimated to have 56 visible mounds, but the largest of them were suspected to be natural hills, modified for use as temples. Many of the buildings at Tamtoc are round, which is typical of Huastec construction; some have stucco floors and the remnants of painted murals. The site also includes a ballcourt, and artifacts (recovered from the 1960s excavations led by Guy Stresser-Pean) included evidence of Pacific coastal contact such as conch shells, whole figurines resembling Veracruz styles, and a thin stone Veracruz-style axe (or hacha). Previously noted at the site was the Castrillon Stele, found in 1939 and now in the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. This large slab sculpture had scrolls carved on it that were, to the excavators, reminiscent of central Veracruz, home of other emigre Maya groups. Later excavations run by the INAH under the direction of Patrico Davila Cabrera were completed in the 1990s.
This news story reports on the most recent excavations at the site, led by Guillermo Ahuja for INAH. Ahuja reports that Monument 32 at Tamtoc appears to contain elements suggestive of Olmec contact. The slab is said to be dated to the Formative period, between 1150-900 B.C., earlier than most of the structures at Tamtoc by nearly 1500 years, and it may add to the on-going debate for the hegemony of the Olmec civilization. Were the Olmec the influential 'mother-culture' of Mesoamerica, or merely a sister-culture, influential in some respects but not dominant?
The only available pictures of Monument 32 can be found on the Spanish language newspaper La Jornada. Are there Olmec characteristics there? Regardless, there is no doubt that Tamtoc has the potential to teach us a great deal about the Huastec civilization.
Tamtoc is located near a pass in the Sierra Tanchipas and on the Tamuín river, both important transportation networks. The main occupation at Tamtoc dates to the Classic (AD 500-900) and Post-Classic (AD 900-1200) periods. Prior to this latest excavation, the site was estimated to have 56 visible mounds, but the largest of them were suspected to be natural hills, modified for use as temples. Many of the buildings at Tamtoc are round, which is typical of Huastec construction; some have stucco floors and the remnants of painted murals. The site also includes a ballcourt, and artifacts (recovered from the 1960s excavations led by Guy Stresser-Pean) included evidence of Pacific coastal contact such as conch shells, whole figurines resembling Veracruz styles, and a thin stone Veracruz-style axe (or hacha). Previously noted at the site was the Castrillon Stele, found in 1939 and now in the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. This large slab sculpture had scrolls carved on it that were, to the excavators, reminiscent of central Veracruz, home of other emigre Maya groups. Later excavations run by the INAH under the direction of Patrico Davila Cabrera were completed in the 1990s.
This news story reports on the most recent excavations at the site, led by Guillermo Ahuja for INAH. Ahuja reports that Monument 32 at Tamtoc appears to contain elements suggestive of Olmec contact. The slab is said to be dated to the Formative period, between 1150-900 B.C., earlier than most of the structures at Tamtoc by nearly 1500 years, and it may add to the on-going debate for the hegemony of the Olmec civilization. Were the Olmec the influential 'mother-culture' of Mesoamerica, or merely a sister-culture, influential in some respects but not dominant?
The only available pictures of Monument 32 can be found on the Spanish language newspaper La Jornada. Are there Olmec characteristics there? Regardless, there is no doubt that Tamtoc has the potential to teach us a great deal about the Huastec civilization.
- Monolito hallado en SLP podría rescribir la historia de Mesoamérica, La Jornada (Spanish), includes photographs and a drawing of Monument 32, May 7, 2006.
- Mexico Monolith may cast new light on Mesoamerica, Reuters, May 8, 2006.
- Joel Palka's review of "Tamtok: Sitio arqueológico huasteco. Volumen I: Su historia, sus edificios = Tamtok: Site archéologique huastèque." Volume I: Son histoire, ses édifices. Guy and Claude Stresser-Pean. on page 8 in this pdf copy of Nahua.
- Tamtoc: Se Avanza en el Compromiso de Trabajar en Áreas Arqueológicas No Exploradas: Arroyo García, Sala de Presna, March 19, 2006 (in Spanish)
Comments
foR kris hurst
The TAMTOC Olmec lunar stela has some traits (serrations) which look like a stela from TUCUME in Peru. I can send the photo to you if you email me at gjcoldham@yahoo.com
Tks
Gerry Coldham
You should post your pictures to our bulletin board:
http://archaeology.about.com/mpboards.htm
I’m sure lots of folks would be interested!
Kris