Castillo de Teayo (Mesoamerican site) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Castillo de Teayo
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Archaeological site
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Castillo de Teayo is an amazing ancient site in Veracruz, Mexico. It's home to a special pyramid built by the Huastec people long ago. This place was a busy city between the 10th and 12th centuries. Today, a modern town has grown up around the old pyramid.
The town and area around it are also called Castillo de Teayo. The name might come from the Huastec language. It means 'on the stone turtle'. Another idea is that it comes from the Nahuatl word 'Teayok', which also means 'turtle on stone'. People think the site got its name because of the pyramid, which is like a 'castle' or 'temple'. It's a mix of Olmec and Huastec cultures. Long ago, it was known as Tzapotlán.
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Discovering Ancient Castillo de Teayo
This site was once a thriving city for the ancient Huastec people. They lived here from the 10th to the 12th centuries. Later, during the Late Postclassic period, the Mexica people also had a big influence.
In the middle of the modern town, you can still see a pyramid. It has most of its original structure, including a stairway. There was likely a temple at the very top. This pyramid is one of the few ancient buildings of its kind still standing in Mesoamerica.
Who Lived Here?
The Castillo de Teayo site shows a mix of different cultures. The Huastec people were here first, from the 10th to the 12th centuries. Later, the Aztec culture became important. Experts believe the pyramid's design looks like Aztec architecture.
The people here also had connections with Toltec groups. These groups came from the Mexican Plateau. The Huastec culture grew from earlier groups like the Olmec-Huixtotin.
Where Was the Huastec Culture?
The Huastec culture lived in a large area of Mexico. This included parts of what are now Tamaulipas, northern Veracruz, and San Luis Potosí. They also lived in smaller parts of Puebla, Querétaro, and Hidalgo. Castillo de Teayo was an important part of this Huastec region.
The Castillo de Teayo Pyramid
The pyramid at Castillo de Teayo is an ancient structure. It was built by the Toltec people. However, it also shows influences from the Huastec and Mexica cultures.
The pyramid stands in a valley, right in the center of the town. It has three main levels, which are slightly sloped. These levels are separated by flat areas. The base of the pyramid is square, about 24 meters (79 feet) on each side. It stands over 11 meters (36 feet) tall.
Pyramid Details
Around the pyramid, there is a small, flat decorative band. It goes all the way around the structure, about 1.40 meters (4.6 feet) high. Many sculptures were found near the pyramid. These sculptures are now kept in the local museum.
Unfortunately, the pyramid has faced some challenges. Humidity has damaged the stucco and walls of this ancient treasure. The pyramid, which dates back to the 15th century, shows serious damage. This is due to a lack of protection from water and moisture. Local people are sad to see this important historical site affected.
Castillo de Teayo Site Museum
There is a small museum right at the pyramid plaza. It's located in downtown Castillo de Teayo, Veracruz. This museum is a great place to learn more about the area.
The museum displays many ancient objects from northern Veracruz. Most of these come from the Castillo de Teayo archaeological site itself. You can see stone sculptures of gods, animals, and human figures. When you visit, you can learn about the people who lived here long ago. You'll also discover their history and the stories behind the items on display.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Teayo para niños
