The archaeological zone of Tajin in Veracruz

His social-economic problems

Alejandro Calixto R. 25/01/2008
The importance of the Taj is its rich culture and the people who live with this
burden, but the efforts to grow in services and quality of life seem hollow plac
e, while governments seem to keep things equal.
Table of Contents
The archaeological zone of Tajin in Veracruz. ..................................
................ ............................... Introduction ..................
.............................. 2 ...............................................
... ............................ 2 Objectives ..................................
.............. .................................................. ..............
................... 3 Methodology. .............................................
..... .................................................. .......................
.. 3 That is the tagine ............................................. ..........
........................................ ......................... 3 Who are the
Totonac ............................................. .........................
......................... ..... 4 The dance of the flying ......................
...................... .................................................. ......
. 4 A view of the history of the place .........................................
. ................................................. 6 What to do with the econom
y? .................................................. ..........................
.... 8 Results and Discussion .............................................. ...
............................................... .............. 9 The city and it
s main buildings ........................................... ...................
........................ Creek Plaza ...........................................
... 9 .................................................. ..................... 9
The pyramid of the niches. .................................................. .
................................................ 10 South ballgame .............
............................... ................................................
.. ............ Tajin boy .............................................. 11 ....
.............................................. ........................ Xicalcol
iuhqui ................................................ 12 .....................
............................. .................... 13 Now the economic. ........
.......................................... .....................................
............. ....... Conclusions ..............................................
.. 13 .................................................. .......................
.. Literature consulted ............................................... 14 .....
............................................. ........... 15
1
The archaeological zone of Tajin in Veracruz.
Introduction
Located in the state of Veracruz, El Tajin is one of many important archaeologic
al sites in Mexico. Most of this site is still unexcavated. Its heyday was the e
arly ninth century to the early thirteenth century. Totonac origin, this culture
of which still do not know their specific origin, as some researchers propose t
hat was formed by groups from Teotihuacan, who came to settle in the region duri
ng the third century AD and merged with other local groups, to then form a new c
ulture with very specific characteristics and from these began to flourish Toton
acs couple of them and their architecture. While there are others who say that t
he ceremonial buildings Tajín probably started in the Century I. In the early cl
assical period showed the influence of Teotihuacan tagine very clear, whereas in
post-classic period showed Toltec influence. Its reconstruction began in the th
irteenth century, at the same time the Taj was destroyed by invaders Chichimecas
, so this site was occupied by a few residents who did not continue the construc
tion of temples. Therefore the site was completely abandoned when Spanish conqui
stadors arrived in the fifteenth century. So that the site was quickly abandoned
and occupied by the dense vegetation of the site leaving it hidden from view an
d harassment for several decades. In 1785 engineer Diego Ruiz visited the site a
nd gave a description of this. He was also once visited by William Dupaix, Alexa
nder von Humboldt, and Carlos Nebel, who published his notes on it. Therefore th
is area is considered as the great capital archaeological indigenous pre-Hispani
c times in the Gulf Coast, El Tajin is located near the city of Papantla;€Totona
c language name sums up the strength and power of the tropical storm that dampen
s all, the coastal territory, and whom the natives of the Antilles called hurric
ane. Tajin Totonac comes from, meaning thunder can not be said that this was its
original name or if in fact this term is one hundred percent Totonac. However,
the permanence of Totonac ethnic group in the ruins for centuries and has result
ed in certain findings suggest that indeed this ethnic group was the one who bui
lt this great city. Currently, a symbol of history and culture throughout her re
gion known as the Totonacapan, Totonac culture that flourished not only there, b
ut farther south the Zempoala or the Isle of Sacrifices in the town of Veracruz.
With the Cumbre Tajin, the management of this colossal historical identity is i
ncreasingly distancing itself more and more of the local cultures, with a tenden
cy to return to the Taj in entertainment center and not a symbol of the history
of all of us.
2
Objectives
• • • Submit a report aspects of the history of the archaeological zone of Tajin
, Papantla, Veracruz. Relate the importance of the archaeological to the local e
conomy. Interpret the importance of knowing about the history of ancient Mexico.
Methodology.
In preparing this research report have been taken into account factors that are
important for proper reporting and will be useful to keep a logical sequence of
ideas that are present.
What is the Taj
First, we must define what is the Taj and those who built this to have any resea
rch reference when querying external sources. For this coarse me some words foun
d in a text by Jose Garcia Payon Tajín quoting as follows: according to archaeol
ogists and experts, the city of El Tajin, named Totonac language means "city of
the god of thunder "reached its peak between 800 and 1200, this being precisely
the time when it was raised most of its buildings, at which time he was allegedl
y occupied by the Totonac that became the center of their civilization over the
years and mentioned. It is a pre-Columbian archaeological site near the city of
Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico and Poza Rica, Veracruz, Mexico, located at 298 m ele
vation between river basins and Tecolutla Cazones. The city was the capital Taji
n Totonac state. City or Place tagine means thunder in the Totonac language. Taj
in is thought that it was also the name of a Totonac god, but its meaning is for
many diffuse. This city consists of more than 200 buildings, are arranged in tw
o main groups: the Taj was built between III and VIII centuries AD Chico and the
Taj was built between IX and X. Distributed according to the relief, one inside
the canyon and other buildings outside because the place is surrounded by hills
and streams, thus, presumably, the main buildings are located on the bottom.
3
Image of the pyramid of the niches in the Tajín1.
Who are the Totonac
Then, you define who were and who the Totonac, since by the features of the site
's architecture is presumed that this ethnic group might have features that conn
ect to the Teotihuacan culture. In the book of Garcia Payon says, is an Amerindi
an ethnic group of Maya-Totonac linguistic stock, whose closest relative is the
Tepehua. Apparently the Totonac were the first settlement in the north of the cu
rrent state of Puebla. Already in the Classic era (I-VIII centuries AD) entered
the territory of Veracruz giving rise to such important centers like El Tajin, Z
empoala, Papantla, Isle of Sacrifice and others, including Yohualichan in Puebla
. At present the Totonac still living in the vicinity of the places mentioned in
Veracruz and also in other northern sierra of Puebla. They are characterized by
having preserved their ancient traditions and way of life. Can be cited in this
regard its flying dancing that keeps deep religious connotations. Although this
dance is not provided within the work as a central point, whether it is good to
do a review on it.
The dance of the flying
In the area survives Totonacapan sun worship, which has very peculiar characteri
stics, this sun-worship consists of two parts: cut the tree and the dance of the
flying. In the first part of the Totonac start finding your sacred tree in the
hills of the region, this tree is also called the flying club, which must meet c
ertain specific qualities such as height, strength and be in addition to being v
ery
1
Photo: www.flickr.com / feeds_go_mex / wgb_tajin.jpg
4
rectum. After selecting the tree, the Totonac dance around the tree and pray, wh
ile the main group Quihuicolo apologizes to God, who is the god of the mountain,
having to knock down the flying pole. Reached the fourth day, they proceeded to
cut the tree to take the first hit the woodmen running various ceremonies to th
e four cardinal points by invoking the sunlight and alluding to the four element
s of nature: air, earth, fire and water . After arriving at the place of lifting
the stick, the Indigos dig a pit about two meters deep. To deposit a turkey, fo
ur eggs, rum, flowers and incense, and again dancing around the pole and the hol
e with the music he plays the healer or the overseer finally bury the club secur
ing its firmness and rectitude. It is here that ends the first part, lack the da
nce of the flying. The second part consists of the dances that are performed on
the pole for the dancers ask that the four directions for protection and assista
nce. Then rise to the top of the club where they have settled a ring with ropes
wrapped around its axis (the stick) where you throw on the floor. Up five, four
will be mounted, the fifth is the foreman who runs the dance on top of the stick
(a small circle of no more than 20cm diameter and height over 7mts) who get up
and dance in the direction of the four corners to pray for benign future, then s
its in the center of the ring and gives the order to the four dancers to be laun
ched. Bound by ropes, they are fanned on the ground, but turning around the pole
, some have to be 13 laps for each of the four, for a total of 52 laps, a figure
that represents the cycle time of entry to the new sun or renewal of the fire.
This is an image of the flying dance of the view from the Cathedral of Papantla,
the dancers now wear a red velvet trousers, colored ribbons hanging from the sh
oulders and hands, a hat decorated with mirrors, flowers and fabric colored ston
es, lead boots, a scarf hanging on the waist decorated the same way as the cap a
nd a white cotton shirt. You can see the foreman standing on the tip of the stic
k flying invoking the four directions.
Dance of the flyers in Papantla2.
2
Photo: City Hall.
5
A view of the history of the place
Third is to give an overview of the history of pre-Hispanic city of tagine. The
ancient city of El Tajin was developed in the late classic period, and reached i
ts peak in the transition to the Postclassic, or between 800 and 1150 d. C. El T
ajin was sustained economically by the tribute paid to the surrounding villages
in products and services. Other segments of the population, apart from the rulin
g class and peasants were the artisans and those who were devoted to trade in sp
ecial areas of trade, as were the markets - or transporting goods. Panoramic vie
w of El Tajin sculpture and painting associated with architecture in different t
ypes of buildings. To highlight the relief sculpture from ball games and South C
entral, the friezes of the Pyramid of the Niches and columns of the Temple of th
e Columns. Some are still in place, others in the museum at the entrance of the
archaeological zone. In these reliefs recount episodes of ritual ball game, or h
istorical events like the Temple of the Columns. The murals are scarce and highl
y fragmented, but they appreciate a refined technique in polychrome and drawing.
Construction of ceremonial buildings Tajín probably started in the Century I. I
n the early classical period showed the influence of Teotihuacan tagine, while i
n post-classic period showed Toltec influence. The first archaeological dig was
made by Jose Garcia Payon from 1943 to 1963. The Mexican Institute of Anthropolo
gy and History (INAH) made a restoration of the site in 1980. This archaeologica
l site is about 1km ², but it is speculated that there is still a large part of
this site has not been found. This site has several pyramids, palaces and severa
l tennis ball game. The most famous pyramid of this site on the so-called pyrami
d of the niches. This pyramid has 365 niches, according to archaeologists, repre
senting a calendar. The Pyramid of the Niches, famous for its ornate decoration
based on the frets and the approximately 360 niches that characterize and immedi
ately give a character both solar calendar, no doubt,€this building is one of th
e greatest architectural creations of the Totonac people.
6
The most famous of all the buildings of El Tajin is the Pyramid of the Niches. I
t is believed that this pyramid is an ancient calendar. 365 niches, or chambers,
which were painted bright blue and red, probably represented the days of the ye
ar.
Pyramid of the niches in the tajín3 Along with this pyramid and other buildings
stand out: the South Ball Court, the most important of the 17 so far discovered
in the area, since its walls are decorated with reliefs showing unique boards wh
ere predominant theme is alluding to the practice of this sport ritual. On the o
ther hand also highlight the different areas of joint or palaces where we note w
ith surprise the presence of windows, elements rarely seen in Mesoamerica and pe
rhaps owes its presence to an ingenious system whereby, the evening breeze to wh
ere to find free path, cooling the rooms of these living spaces, likewise, stand
s the so-called Building I, which houses some of the few remains of mural painti
ngs with which the inhabitants of the city decorated the walls and walls of thei
r buildings during the period of glory and splendor El Tajin. El Tajin god repre
sented in this sculpture found in the museum attached to the archaeological zone
.
Sculpture of the god allegedly tajín4
April 3
Photo: www.pozarica.net / cumbre_tajin / download.tiff Photo: www.inah.gob / ind
ex_tajin.jsp
7
It is precisely in these samples plastic art, where we will see some images of c
haracters that are likely to be treated the gods who were venerated in this coas
tal metropolis, which, always receiving visitors with its majestic presence of t
he flying of Papantla, who clung to a rope, drop their bodies from the top of a
pole fixed to the floor, its smooth decline, accompanied by rhythmic blow of the
Indian flute, symbolizes the last flight of the sacred bird, facing the four ca
rdinal points seeks its true encounter are the Sun
What to do with the economy?
Certainly one might think that with so much culture and such a historical legacy
of the peoples of the region would be possible to use this to encourage the dev
elopment of local people and also promote awareness of our past. In 2006, the ne
wspaper mentions that universal: Guests of honor at the Cumbre Tajin 2006 will T
otonacapan indigenous peoples, but pop stars such as Benny Ibarra and Manuel Mij
ares, to serve as "hooks" to attract more than 100 000 people at the event, whic
h is considered by its organizers as the "flagship of the state" of Veracruz. Th
is results found comments about the "Cumbre Tajin" the festival of identity. How
ever already several years since its first release, this event has served to imp
rove the quality of life of people in the region and the main criticisms are dir
ected towards the loss of identity of peoples, since it is an event that is not
intended for the Totonac people, but to tourists who do not manage to witness th
e culture as such, but a transgression of this in a pop event. Organizers say th
at until there has been no problem and, if any, is safe. Moreover, the state gov
ernment donated 2 million dollars to INAH for conservation efforts. They add tha
t the summit five times, with the participation of volunteers, the number of car
egivers in the area the day of the equinox. La Cumbre Tajin also affects the reg
ional economy. According to estimates the economic flow of the event is 50 milli
on pesos, provided that 100 000 people who come to spend at least 500 pesos acur
do this in the planning of the organizers in 2006. Of these, one million 400 tho
usand pesos, 20% of the 7 million reported a year ago (2005) at the box office,
will go to scholarships for college in the area, but still do not know neither t
he number nor the exact amount of them. This is taken from a local newspaper, La
Opinión. Municipal governments say, however, that this event has been a great s
upport to local communities, which seems misleading, however in the results was
taken on this to make a point of agreement to read and own opinion in the discus
sion.
8
Results and discussion
Finally I can report that the story carried by the region is as important as pre
senting any great culture of Mexico and America.
The city and its main buildings
The city of Taj, which remained hidden for 500 years the Spanish siege of the th
ick forest in the vicinity of Papantla. Since it was abandoned in 1230 A.D.,€per
haps to the threats of those who Chichimeca people to flee, in addition to the s
iege of the Aztecs who were the dominant empire of Mesoamerica. Its location is
not due to war or strategic reasons, since it was a city of openness to the resi
dents. The scope of the remains and what has been proposed as hypothetical areas
where the populace lived can reach 1056 hectares in area and rain forest near t
he Gulf of Mexico. Thus the pyramid of the niches, discovered accidentally made
known to the city to the scientific world of Europe in 1807 by Alexander von Hum
boldt. In this center more than 50 tribes converged as the literature and its po
pulation was close to 20 thousand inhabitants.
The Taj has many monuments, which are divided as follows:
Plaza creek
This place is made available with the classic Mesoamerican for closed squares: f
our huge buildings, the building north 16, south on 19, east on 18 and 20 to the
west. Corresponding to the first construction stage, between 600 and 750 AD bui
ldings and keep some homogeneity. It is believed that at that time was people wh
o know the architecture, perhaps the Olmecs, who built these buildings on the so
uth side of the ravine.
Building 18, East.
Located on the east side of the square, is the longest of the eight buildings, i
ts pyramidal base was divided into three steps, the most narrow, the middle, wit
h four series of niches in the manner of decoration.
Building 20, west.
Base is square and consists of seven bodies. Noted for its four main staircase b
alustrades, also has four rows of three niches at the center of the stairway, wi
th slopes and ledges.
Building 16, North.
It consists of five stepped sections, on the top two exhibition stand, which hav
e their fronts facing each other, it has a staircase on the south side and one i
n the north, reminiscent of the pyramid of the niches.
Building 19.
The north staircase is interrupted adorned with niches, four times in groups of
five, twenty in total.
Building 20, west. The main facade lies to the east, on top of three shrines. Ba
se is square and consists of seven bodies or levels. Submit niches in small grou
ps that decorate the steps.
9
The pyramid of the niches.
"There is a uniform silence around this pyramid by the Spanish chroniclers," say
s Leonardo Zaleta in one of his books dedicated to the Taj. This is because it i
s believed that the discovery of all the archaeological site was on a par with t
he discovery of this pyramid by the engineer Diego Ruiz, after the round of Papa
ntla in 1785. This is because occasionally, as this engineer was looking snuff i
llegal crops in the region, according to the texts, the pyramid, located just fi
ve kilometers from the city of Papantla, and is flagship of the whole area could
have been Sheltered by the Indians because of ignorance of the Spanish of this.
Alexander von Humboldt in his Political Essay on the Kingdom of New Spain (1803
-1804) collected some impressions about this place. Humboldt appears that transc
ribes a description in which the pyramid of the niches has not been rebuilt comp
letely, hence consider the presence of 378 niches instead of the 365 that curren
tly have. Some relate this condition, the niches, with the days of the year, so
it is believed that the Totonac had sufficiently advanced astronomical study to
quantify this. Now, perhaps the alcoves are the most important feature of this p
lace. Thus, the niches are not elsewhere in Mesoamerica with management as the o
ne presented in the Totonacapan. The niche with what it represents is an essenti
al characteristic of pre-Hispanic architecture Totonacapan. So in the 60 acres o
ccupied by the city of El Tajin, you could find new applications of this decorat
ive element, as part of the city is still under the shelter of the forest.
Appearance of the pyramid before restauración5 current studies and those who bro
ught Jose Garcia Payon indicate that the pyramid sits atop a square base 36 feet
square and consists of six three-meter horizontal bodies, the bodies are so Fla
ts in a building, only in a pyramid of this type are staggered and the top has a
smaller area closer to the bottom. The pyramid reaches a height of 18 meters. T
he front has a stairway with balustrades decorated with fretwork. In each body,
5
Photo: 1865, captured by the French Teobert Mahler, INAH; www.secveracruz.gob.mx
/ historia_ver.php
10
floor or ground if they want,€rhythm is a decrease of three niches on each side,
from first to sixth body in that order are: 22, 19, 16, 13, 10 and 7 respective
ly niches, which number 87 in total and multiplied by four (number of sides ) gi
ves us a total of 348 niches. On the other hand there were others in the top 17
niches on the sides and 5 north, south and west, and two on the east side, which
added to the previous result gives us results in a total of 365 days, total day
s of years that we consider in accordance with the movement of the earth around
the sun. It is believed that this building was the center of the ceremonies of t
he Totonac, since the call is monumental plaza surrounded by other nearby buildi
ngs also presumed to be in this place, in front of the pyramid of the niches was
buried the "stick" flying.
Current appearance of the pyramid, the "gaps" are the niches that it has: 3606
The ball game south
As is characteristic of many peoples of Mesoamerica, the ball game occupied an i
mportant place in the life of every nation and civilization, the Taj was no exce
ption. Found so far for this game 17 pitches with different configurations to be
used possibly with different dates ritual: the center with more ball games thro
ughout Mesoamerica. At the Taj there were no rings on the playground, because so
metimes they may have been of wood, even when the panels are of carved stone to
keep track of the game. But this game, unlike many, had a ritual significance an
d consequence, which is the human sacrifice. There is strong evidence confirming
that the Totonac practiced human sacrifice in the ball game. In this case it wa
s the player who was beaten to death, no, quite the contrary, was the winner who
was sacrificed in honor of
6
Photo taken on a trip to the region by: Absalom Lopez Baez.
11
gods, the sacrifice was the victor's laurels waiting for them to be sacrificed w
as a symbol of victory and an approach to the gods.
South ballgame in Tajín7
El Tajin boy
North of this archaeological other important buildings were built on an artifici
al elevation of 5 meters high, forming a terrace supported by a retaining wall t
opped with niches. This section is known as "Tajin Chico" and its buildings were
temples, civil buildings but for the actions of government or the ruling class
rooms and priests. Restricting access through a retaining wall with a staircase,
which highlights the social and political organization. Building A, to the nort
h of the plaza of El Tajin Chico was built this residential building is rectangu
lar, 35mts long and 22 wide. He was one of the most beautiful buildings of the c
omplex, having some structural features mixed with the wit maya Totonac and Tolt
ec features. Building B, Building on two levels in rectangular shape, with 515 s
quare meters, built with flagstone and sandstone, bound with lime mortar and cla
y. Household was probably the ruling class or a meeting place, besides being the
last buildings that were made in the Tajin Chico. Building C, is a civilian bui
lding under three bodies rectangular shape that reaches a height of 7.5 meters a
long the front is 60 meters and approximately 37metros background, has an extens
ive presence of friezes and niches. Building I, is believed to be devoted to sin
ging and music, besides being a residential building. It has anthropomorphic and
zoomorphic painting, the characters are miniature framed by a kind of cross. It
presents many artistic elements of the city and culture, it is close to the mon
umental square.
7
Photo taken on a trip to the region: Cortes Gustavo Huerta
12
Xicalcoliuhqui
"Located inside the boy Tajin was built northeast of the Taj, is a walled platfo
rm fret as inside which there are two ball games exclusive for the elite, dedica
ted to very special holiday," says Juergen Bruegemann. It is a complex of buildi
ngs in a helical three meters high and one hectare. It was built with sandstone
carved in the form of walls. This "spiral" has been wanted to associate with Que
tzalcoatl or Tajin. There are over 260 niches for the year ritual of 13 months o
f 20 days each. This building represents the ultimate expression of the stepped
fret stylized, with his profile conch, symbol of Quetzalcoatl, so this was assoc
iated with Aztec ceremonial center.
Entrance to the Taj chico8 Xicalcoliuhqui.
Now the economic.
The presence of this community speaks for itself. A little one kilometer or less
of the entrance to the archaeological site El Tajin, where the flyers have been
domesticated and this ritual has become a spectacle for tourists schedule, a po
or community whose expectation is to be excluded, because in the plans make the
place a tourist site, the communities do not appear. In 2000 he originated the "
Spring of the Millennium" and with it the struggle of the technical and manual w
orkers of INAH archaeological area, who began to denounce the bill by then Senat
or Mauricio Fernandez Garza PAN why would open legally doors to the private sect
or to commercialize and profit from the artistic, architectural, historical and
archaeological heritage of Mexicans.
8
Photo: 20new_tours% 20Mexico.jpg www.flickr.com/paul_hass/%
13
In that year (2000) sold the idea that the neighborhoods of San Lorenzo, El Zapo
tal, Antonio Ojital Ojital and New, would benefit from a wide socio-economic dev
elopment, jobs, services, whose provision is the obligation of the state. But se
ven years: Nothing, no jobs, no development, they have a phone that does work. T
ourism is designed for transnational corporations: When a U.S. citizen decides t
o take a vacation, make your reservation with American Express, company that als
o used to pay and accommodate it on a flight from American Airlines, could reach
the Sheraton Hotel, where would their consumption of food and fun could go to H
ard Rock. Then the alleged currency does not really benefit the country. So that
does not exist and the alleged economic flow that benefits the people of the re
gion. For though these companies hire Mexican labor in many cases, it is good to
think about what is the amount of resources actually stay in the country.
Conclusions
No doubt know about the history of the region is fundamental to understanding ou
r own history no matter where they come from. It is this general outline present
ed the basics about the city: those who did, in what year was abandoned, who dis
covered it and its most representative buildings. The city is now a tourist hook
, because of ignorance of local authorities is becoming an entertainment center
that do not take into account the identity of the town itself. The development h
as not reached the communities, despite higher incomes that have, since I as a r
esident of that area, I have never seen a true channeling resources to communiti
es, the roads are in poor condition for years The community of El Tajin has not
improved social infrastructure and those who benefit each year are the mayors of
the municipality, it is almost comical to see that every year premiere luxury S
UVs. Now, in my opinion, until we know nothing about things (whatever they are,
I'm generalizing) will not be able to do anything wise to give us the opportunit
y to address them and take them on the right track. So know the history of Taj a
llow us to better exploit its terms without losing the identity of peoples and t
o achieve some development without sacrificing the local culture.
14
Literature consulted
Juergen Brueggmann, Tajin, official guide. Veracruz State Government. INAHSALVAT
. Mexico 1992 Jose Garcia Payon, The enigma of Tajin. INAH-SEP. Mexico 1973. Rom
án Piña Chan, et. Al Tajin, the city of god hurricane. FCE, Mexico 1999 Leonardo
Zaleta, Tajin, mystery and beauty. Veracruz State Government. Amatl lithography
. Xalapa, Mexico 1995. The reconstruction arrested at the Taj. Opinion Journal,
Poza Rica, Veracruz January 16, 1999. http://zapateando.wordpress.com/2006/03/06
/cumbre-tajin-siete-anos-despues-nidesarrollo-ni-empleos-ni-beneficios-a- 20even
tos.jsp www.pozarica.net/cumbre_tajin/% communities / Cumbre Tajin, of the ethni
c to pop, the newspaper El Universal, electronic version on Tuesday, March 7, 20
06.
15
Acknowledgements
Thanks to all who worked with images and pardon the use or misuse, again many th
anks. People who are interested in the integral development of peoples, neither
the government nor the leftist groups are alone, neither the people nor the illu
strious, we need everyone. Thanks ...
16