Nearby Sites - Archeological Circuit of the Huastecas
Tamtoc
Known since 1880, but partially excavated in 1960, Tamtoc is an archeological site found only 130 Km away from Tampico, in the municipality of Tamuín. It has an extension of 133 acres. In the native language Tenek, Tamtoc means “the place of the water clouds”.
This place was opened this year to the public. We recommend you to visit this majestic place where you can admire a great number of archeological traces surrounded by grass and vegetation. It is part of a project of eco-archeology since it has several archeological areas in which the visitor will get to know the traditional plants of the region as well as the way the people of the Tenek community use them. The Tenek people are heirs of the Huasteca culture.
Tamtoc was discovered at the end of the XIX Century. The first register of archeological monuments was made until 1937 it what was known at that time as a ranch called El Aserradero. It was between 1962 and 1965 when the French archeologist Stresserr-Peán began the partial excavations. Till August of the year 2001, the archeologist Guillermo Ahuja, by means of the National Institute of Anthropology (INAH), began the works of integral renovation. This way, 70 structures were consolidated of the 255 detected. Some of them are among the 10 biggest structures in the country.
 The findings in Tamtoc worship a strong cult to the moon, but there is also a cult to the solar calendar. Some of the structures of this city still preserve the prints in the floors and the decorations with stucco engraving. A few of them have leftovers of two constructive phases and most of them present what was left of the fire.
Other constructions that are very distinctive of this place have long halls that finish with a circular platform. One of these halls had a hole with an ossuary that contained what was left of seven people, which together with the burial of 19 individuals, sum 40 corpses discovered. Other traces were found such as stone spindles, leftovers of projectile points, axes, copper needles, beads and thousand of ceramic fragments tinted with a paint that disappears with water.
 One of the characteristics that distinguish Tamtoc is the noticeable feminine presence. Till this day, 90% of the discovered burials are of women. They are also represented in the majority of the clay and ceramic figures found here. It is believed that they had a higher rank in the social division of this community.
Tamtoc has a central square for civil-administrative purposes which is believed, because of the structures’ stone covering, was built in the last moments if the city (between the year 900 and 1300 a.C.). Among the structures that surround this square there is El Cubilete, El Tanto Que and El Corcovado. Other important traces have been found such as “Monument 22” and “Monument 32”.
Monument 22 is a sculpture of the possible governor of this place, whose name was Cinco Caracol and is known among the citizens as Tomás or El Muchacho Alegre. It dates from the Classic Period between the years 400 and 800 a.C. It is an individual paving stone of 2.57 meters high and 2.49 meters wide and weighs approximately 3 tons. This great structure represents the inferior part of a masculine naked figure with an enormous perforated penis and covered with an ixtle protection. According to Archeologist Ahuja, this figure alludes to the myth of the Creation of the Man of the Fifth Sun by Quetzálcoatl, who after descending to the sub world perforated his member in order to mix it with the bones of the past generations and creating man this way.
Monument 32 was found on February of the year 2005. It is one of the most important monuments in the Huasteca culture. It is a spectacular monolith 8 meters large, 4 meters high and 30 cm wide with a weigh between 20 and 30 tons. It is believed that it dates from the years 600 and 700 b.C. This monolith represents the birth of a water spring. It was fractured in two parts after being smashed down by a flood. The carved part was covered with mud and water and only the part visible was one with the images of three feminine figures as main elements. That is why it was named Las Niñas or The Girls. Around the feminine presentations a series of 18 elements can be appreciated. According to specialists, it is a moon calendar. This monument is found 700 meters away from the square and is not exposed to the public.
Development Dates
The Huasteca region covers the southern part of Tamaulipas, the north of Veracruz and the eastern part of San Luis Potosí and Hidalgo. One of the main archeological zones is Tamtoc, Las Flores, Castillo de Teayo, Agua Nueva and Yahualica.
It is believed that Tamtoc lived its splendor period between the years 200 and 1300 a.C. It had a population of 4000 inhabitants who formed part of a well-organized sedentary society that lived from agriculture. This place corresponds to Post-Classic Belated period (800-1300 a-C.), which begins with the archeological interventions in La Huasteca. It is believed that this city was abandoned before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors to the region.
How to get there:
In order to get to Tamtoc from Tampico, you must take Highway 70 Tampico-Valles. Only 130 Km away there is Tamuín and a few meters before arriving to this city you will see a detour to the right called Eje Xolol, a highway you should take for 7 Km until you find a notice for the entrance to Tamtoc. There is a narrow recently paved road that goes along its 10 Km through ranches.
Visiting Hours:
Visiting hours are from Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 AM to 5 PM. There is free entrance daily for people older than 60 and younger than 13, retired, with special capacities, teachers and students with a valid ID.
Tips:
We recommend you to take a cap and comfortable shoes since there are many long walks on the tour throughout grass and paths. This place has restrooms and a “palapa” at the entrance, but there is no way of getting refreshments or water. This is why we recommend you to take your precautions.
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