• INAH-DMC  / Mauricio Marat
    INAH-DMC / Mauricio Marat
  • INAH-DMC  / Mauricio Marat
    INAH-DMC / Mauricio Marat
  • INAH-DMC
    INAH-DMC
  • INAH-DMC
    INAH-DMC
Tamtoc
Located in the Huasteca Potosina region (900-1100 AD), with significant river trade, the site is remarkable for its pyramids, monoliths, stelae, mural paintings, the use of the calendar, circular buildings and amazing stone sculptures, such as the Venus of Tamtoc, which speaks of the important role of women.
About the site
For centuries, the ancient city of Tamtoc remained abandoned and hidden beneath dense rainforest until 1937, when the ethnology historian and archeologist Guy Stresser-Péan had the opportunity to carry out research work in the area; however, it was the engineer Joaquín Meade who made the discovery of the archeological site’s importance in 1942.

Meade was an expert on the Huasteca Potosina and his work is fundamental for any study of the region. In his publication "The Archeological Ruins of Huasteca Potosina" (1957), he mentions that, for their size, the pyramids of Tamtoc are the most significant in the area, and he describes the neighboring buildings and sites, as well as other discoveries.

At the end of the 1930s, the Museum of Archeology and Ethnology carried out work at various archeological sites in Huasteca, under the guidance of Enrique Juan Palacios and Wilfredo Du Solier. The latter worked on the El Consuelo site in 1946 (today known as Tamohí), during which period he carried out a few tours of the Tamtoc archeological site accompanied by Doctor Gordon Ekholm.

From 1962 to 1964, three seasons of fieldwork were carried out under the direction of Guy Stresser-Péan. This work included contributions from scientific consultants, technicians, restorers and engineers.

As a result, in 2001, the book “Tamtok Huasteco archeological site, its history, its buildings, vol. I” was published. The authors, Guy and Claude Stresser-Péan, presented the first results from this series of investigations relating to the historical and social evolution of the Tamtoc site. Later, in 2005, they published “Tamtok, Huasteco archeological site: daily life, volume II”, significantly contributing to the knowledge of the site's material culture.

In 1994, the archeologist Patricio Dávila, from the INAH Center in San Luís Potosí, resumed excavation work with the aim of understanding a number of aspects of the site’s architecture. Based on this intervention, in 2002 he wrote “Tantoc: a Huasteca city," and together with Diana Zaragoza, presented a number of lectures.

In 2001, the Tamtoc Archeology Project began again under the guidance of Guillermo Ahuja. It was financed by the Archeological Trust for the Recovery of Tamtoc, comprising the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), the San Luís Potosí State Government and Banamex Cultural Development. During this period, further excavation and conservation of buildings were carried out. This included the exploration of the area of La Noria, particularly the recovery of Monument 32, the construction of the service area and the opening of the archeological site to the public in May 2006.

From October 2008 until the present day, the INAH has maintained the archeological project “Origins and Development of the Urban Landscape of Tamtoc, San Luís Potosí," with the participation of a group of specialists in various fields of anthropology who are interested in the study of the site, under the direction of Estela Martínez Mora.
300 - 1100

Clásico Tardío a Posclásico Temprano
Preclásico Medio a Posclásico Tardío
900 - 1100

Clásico Tardío a Posclásico Temprano

An expert point of view
Estela Martínez Mora
Estela Martínez Mora
Centro INAH San Luis Potosí
Archeological site
Tamtoc
Practical information
Temporarily closed
Monday to Sunday from 09:00 to 18:00 hrs. Last entry 17:00 hrs.

$75.00 pesos


  • Extra fee for professional cameras
  • Sundays free for Mexican citizens
  • Free entrance for Mexicans under 13 years old
  • Free entrance for Mexican students and teachers
  • Free entry for seniors
  • pensioners and retirees with ID
  • No Smoking
  • No entry with food
Se localiza a 17 km del municipio de Tamuín, San Luis Potosí.

Services
  • Estacionamiento
  • Módulo de información
  • Sanitarios
  • +52 (444) 813 4941
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Directory
Profesora Investigadora del Centro INAH San Luis Potosí
Estela Martínez Mora
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+52 (044) 1487 9222
1813
Zona_Arquelgica_Tamtoc,_San_Luis_Potos_Foto_Mauricio_Marat_INAH_
Zona_Arquelgica_Tamtoc,_San_Luis_Potos_Foto_Mauricio_Marat_INAH_
INAH-DMC / Mauricio Marat
Tamtoc_Foto_Mauricio_Marat_INAH_
INAH-DMC / Mauricio Marat
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INAH-DMC
8_slider_detalle_de_la_estructura
INAH-DMC
Norte
En la Huasteca potosina (900-1100), con importante comercio fluvial, destacan sus pirámides, monolitos, estelas, pintura mural, uso del calendario, arquitectura de edificios circulares y asombrosas esculturas en piedra, como la Venus de Tamtoc, que habla del importante papel de las mujeres.
Located in the Huasteca Potosina region (900-1100 AD), with significant river trade, the site is remarkable for its pyramids, monoliths, stelae, mural paintings, the use of the calendar, circular buildings and amazing stone sculptures, such as the Venus of Tamtoc, which speaks of the important role of women.

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