Castillo de Teayo (Mesoamerican site)
Encyclopedia
Castillo de Teayo is a mesoamerican
Prehispanic archeological site
and Mesoamerican pyramid, located in the La Huasteca
region in northern Veracruz
, Mexico
. The main access to the site is via Federal Highway 130 México-Tuxpan up to the city of Teayo, it belongs to the Huastec culture and it is estimated it was inhabited between the X and XII Centuries.
In the modern era the contemporary settlement of Castillo de Teayo
developed around the ancient pyramid that the settlement and its municipality of Castillo de Teayo
were named after.
In the Tuxpan Canvas,A series of native maps found in Tihuatlan this place is represented by the Teayotlán glyph. According to one version, the name etymology comes from the Huastec language
word teayo o teayoc, which means “on the stone turtle”.
Another official version of the name is that it comes from the Nahuatl
word Teayok, Te-ayo-k “Turtle on stone”. The site received its current name because there is a temple or archaeological monument in the municipality, as the only remaining vestige of a large ancient city, a mixture of the Olmec
and Huastec cultures. It used to be called Tzapotlán.
This site combines various cultural traditions, first the Huastec, the X to XII centuries, and the Aztec, in the late Postclassical. According to specialists, the architecture of the only remaining building is of Aztec filiation, although the village also had relationships with Toltec groups from the Mexican Plateau.
The Olmec-vixtoti Culture became the cuexteca or Huastec culture. In relation to the Maya and Toltec societies, there was an important influence on the site sculptures. However, there is another version that says that the sculptural style corresponds to a Toltec occupation.
The Huastec culture developed south of the current states of Tamaulipas, north of Veracruz, east of San Luis Potosí and small areas of the states of Puebla, Querétaro and Hidalgo. Although this geographic-cultural regionalization has not been stable thru time, Teayo Castle is included in this region.
As an ornamental feature it has a small flat molding, which runs all around its perimeter, at 1.40 meters high. Surrounding it were several sculptures of different size and style, which are currently at the Museum, along with other pieces from the site excavations.
The cultural heritage comprises prehispanic objects from the Veracruz northern region, mainly Castillo de Teayo archeological site. Mostly it's stone sculptures with representations of gods, animals and human figures.
During the visit more information is available over the ancient site inhabitants, their origin and history, as well as details of the exhibited articles.
However it is also informed that the museum is closed due to architectonic or museum intervention, from Tuesday 27, November 2007.
The prehispanic Toltec pyramid with influence from the Huastec and Mexica cultures from the 15th century displays serious damages as a result of the neglect on the part of the National Institute of Anthropology and History. Municipality inhabitants are unhappy to see how the central pyramid and the ceremonial temple as the most archaeological asset in this area are affected by the lack of palm roofing which has failed to protect the priceless archaeological structure from water and moisture.
Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica is a region and culture area in the Americas, extending approximately from central Mexico to Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, within which a number of pre-Columbian societies flourished before the Spanish colonization of the Americas in the 15th and...
Prehispanic archeological site
Pre-Columbian era
The pre-Columbian era incorporates all period subdivisions in the history and prehistory of the Americas before the appearance of significant European influences on the American continents, spanning the time of the original settlement in the Upper Paleolithic period to European colonization during...
and Mesoamerican pyramid, located in the La Huasteca
La Huasteca
La Huasteca is the first climbing area in Monterrey, Mexico, only 15 minutes from the city. With nearly 200 bolted routes with grades from 5.8 to 5.13C, it is the favorite place for weekend climbers. It is also known for the slippery type of limestone from which it is comprised, and which makes...
region in northern Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. The main access to the site is via Federal Highway 130 México-Tuxpan up to the city of Teayo, it belongs to the Huastec culture and it is estimated it was inhabited between the X and XII Centuries.
In the modern era the contemporary settlement of Castillo de Teayo
Castillo de Teayo, Veracruz
Castillo de Teayo is a village in the Mexican state of Veracruz. Located in the state's Huasteca Baja region, it serves as the municipal seat for the surrounding municipality of the same name....
developed around the ancient pyramid that the settlement and its municipality of Castillo de Teayo
Castillo de Teayo (municipality)
Castillo de Teayo is one of the 212 municipalities of the Mexican state of Veracruz. It is located in the state's Huasteca Baja region. The municipal seat is the village of Castillo de Teayo....
were named after.
In the Tuxpan Canvas,A series of native maps found in Tihuatlan this place is represented by the Teayotlán glyph. According to one version, the name etymology comes from the Huastec language
Wastek language
The Wastek or Huastec language is a Mayan language of Mexico, spoken by the Huastecs living in rural areas of San Luis Potosí and northern Veracruz. Though relatively isolated from them, it is related to the Mayan languages spoken further south and east in Mexico and Central America...
word teayo o teayoc, which means “on the stone turtle”.
Another official version of the name is that it comes from the Nahuatl
Nahuatl
Nahuatl is thought to mean "a good, clear sound" This language name has several spellings, among them náhuatl , Naoatl, Nauatl, Nahuatl, Nawatl. In a back formation from the name of the language, the ethnic group of Nahuatl speakers are called Nahua...
word Teayok, Te-ayo-k “Turtle on stone”. The site received its current name because there is a temple or archaeological monument in the municipality, as the only remaining vestige of a large ancient city, a mixture of the Olmec
Olmec
The Olmec were the first major Pre-Columbian civilization in Mexico. They lived in the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico, in the modern-day states of Veracruz and Tabasco....
and Huastec cultures. It used to be called Tzapotlán.
Site History
This site was home of one of the ancient Huastec cities. Its occupation periods are calculated from the X to the XII centuries, and during the late postclassical period, it developed a strong Mexica influence. In the Center of the town is a pyramidal shaped building that preserves part of its entire structure, with a stairway and a structure that crowned the building, probably a temple, and it is one of the few buildings of this type remaining in the mesoamerican area. In the small site museum are kept sculptures found in the surrounding area, whose stylistic features depict phallic worship, very common in some cultural regions. More information is available in the small site museum which contains sculptures found during excavations of the city. Some of the sculptures were found in the area, characterized a cult-like phallic style, very popular in some ancient cultures.This site combines various cultural traditions, first the Huastec, the X to XII centuries, and the Aztec, in the late Postclassical. According to specialists, the architecture of the only remaining building is of Aztec filiation, although the village also had relationships with Toltec groups from the Mexican Plateau.
The Olmec-vixtoti Culture became the cuexteca or Huastec culture. In relation to the Maya and Toltec societies, there was an important influence on the site sculptures. However, there is another version that says that the sculptural style corresponds to a Toltec occupation.
The Huastec culture developed south of the current states of Tamaulipas, north of Veracruz, east of San Luis Potosí and small areas of the states of Puebla, Querétaro and Hidalgo. Although this geographic-cultural regionalization has not been stable thru time, Teayo Castle is included in this region.
Structure - Castillo de Teayo
The Castillo de Teayo is a prehispanic pyramid of Toltec origin; its architectural and stylistic features reveal the influence of Huastec and Mexica cultures. The Castillo de Teayo is situated in a Valley, in the center of town and consists of three bodies, slightly inclined, separated by a landing. Its plant is square with sides of about 24 meters and height is more than 11 meters.As an ornamental feature it has a small flat molding, which runs all around its perimeter, at 1.40 meters high. Surrounding it were several sculptures of different size and style, which are currently at the Museum, along with other pieces from the site excavations.
Site Museum
INAH informs that a site museum exists located at Pyramid Plaza w/o number. Downtown, Zip Code 92940, Castillo de Teayo, Veracruz.The cultural heritage comprises prehispanic objects from the Veracruz northern region, mainly Castillo de Teayo archeological site. Mostly it's stone sculptures with representations of gods, animals and human figures.
During the visit more information is available over the ancient site inhabitants, their origin and history, as well as details of the exhibited articles.
However it is also informed that the museum is closed due to architectonic or museum intervention, from Tuesday 27, November 2007.
Archaeological Site Castillo de Teayo shows severe damages
The humidity has damaged the stucco and the archaeological jewel walls.The prehispanic Toltec pyramid with influence from the Huastec and Mexica cultures from the 15th century displays serious damages as a result of the neglect on the part of the National Institute of Anthropology and History. Municipality inhabitants are unhappy to see how the central pyramid and the ceremonial temple as the most archaeological asset in this area are affected by the lack of palm roofing which has failed to protect the priceless archaeological structure from water and moisture.
External links
- Official Site Castillo de Teayo Municipality
- Veracruz Portal Veracruz archaeological sites