On January 1, residents of the community of Hidalgo Amajac in Veracruz discovered a complete female sculpture that stood almost two meters tall.

After an inspection carried out on Monday, January 4, by experts from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), it has been confirmed that the piece is not only pre-Colombian, but also the first of its kind located in the Tuxpan river basin, to the south of the Huasteca Veracruzana.

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A young woman from the elite

According to a researcher at the INAH Center in Veracruz, archaeologist María Eugenia Maldonado Vite, who’s in charge of field inspection, this piece represents a young woman from the elite, “possibly a ruler because of her posture and attire, rather than a deity as almost all the female Huastec sculptures have been interpreted up until now, which are linked to the goddess Tlazoltéotl.”

She explains that the figure is carved in limestone. It measures 60 centimeters at its widest point and is around 25 centimeters thick. Its good state of conservation allows us to observe its features, as well as the spike that allowed it to be placed upright.

The figure has a small face and open, hollow eyes, “which must have been embedded with obsidian or another stone,” according to the researcher.

The sculpture has a high headdress and a necklace in the center where a drop-shaped ornament, known as an oyohualli, can be distinguished. Her torso is covered by a long-sleeved blouse, and she has a long skirt down to her ankles, revealing a pair of bare feet.

Given its geographic location between the archaeological sites of Tochpan (Tuxpan) and Castillo de Teayo, the piece is linked to the Huastec sculptural tradition and culture, although it features certain aspects from central Mexico, when the influence of the Triple Alliance (an Aztec empire) was notorious in the region, which would place it towards the Late Post-classic period (1450-1521 AD).

During the inspection visit, it was noted that the piece was found within a previously unknown but extensive archaeological site, says archaeologist María Eugenia Maldonado Vite.

At this site, monumental structures have not been detected nearby, but rather low-rise structures, likely housing. One probability is that the carving, which was found upside down, looked like a rock to locals, and was moved from its original place and taken there, maybe even in pre-Colombian times.

“The style of the young woman from Amajac is similar to representations of Huastec goddesses of Earth and fertility, but with an external influence, possibly Nahua, as can be seen in the inlaid eye socket, a feature that doesn’t belong to Classical Huastec sculpture, but rather to Mexica sculpture. What’s more, the cloth that Huastec women wear in front of the skirt is always smooth. On this cloth, there are decorative knots and ribbons.”

The INAH Veracruz Center researcher said that further analysis is still needed on this outstanding archaeological piece, as well as on the archaeological site where it was found, which is for now referred to as Hidalgo Amajac.

Such studies, whose details should be determined in discussions between INAH, the Alamo City Council, and the community, will allow investigation via initial surface reconnaissance to estimate the size of the site, its age, and cultural affiliation, among other characteristics.

For now, the sculpture of the young woman from Hidalgo Amajac remains under the protection of the owners of the land where it was discovered. A discussion will be held between INAH and any interested parties in order to determine its future location. (Source: INAH)