Tamtoc

The Tamtoc Archaeological Zone is one of the most important ancient settlements in the Huasteca region of San Luis Potosí. It dates back to approximately 600 BCE, although it reached its true splendor between 900 and 1350 CE. Unlike other cities in Mesoamerica, Tamtoc reflects a strong Huasteca influence and stands out for the clear matriarchal character of its urban organization. Numerous archaeological findings suggest that women occupied a central place in the social and religious organization.

Among the most outstanding discoveries is a sculpture known as "La Venus de Tamtoc." A female figure carved from stone, at nearly two meters tall, realistically depicts the human anatomy and has been interpreted as a deity related to fertility and the agricultural cycle. Another, the Monolith 32 is a huge work weighing more than 20 tons. Some researchers consider it a possible lunar calendar, demonstrating the advanced astronomical knowledge of its creators.

The Tamtoc site consists of more than 70 structures in an area of about 200 hectares. There are plazas, pyramid bases, canals, and residential areas. These are all harmoniously integrated into a natural landscape dominated by the Tampaón and Moctezuma rivers. Water was vital to the agricultural and ceremonial development of the city.

Exploring Tamtoc is a trip into the cultural sophistication and long lost natural beauty of the of the Huastec peoples and their landscape. One of the highlights of the Huasteca Potosina region, the site is roughly an hour to the east of Ciudad Valles which is often considered something of the informal capital of the Huasteca Potosina.