Symmetry Axis and it’s Calendric Properties in Tamtoc, San Luis Potosí. An Archaeoastronomical Approach

Summary

With only scarce information on the topic, we have undertaken an archaeoastronomical investigation in Tamtoc, because we consider that the relations between its architecture and phenomena in the sky constituted an important element for the harmonic integration of it’s urban space, which probably supported oral discourse in the past. The measurement of the building’s orientation in relation to the local horizon, allows us to know the specific calendric dates at which the sun aligns with the axis in question, a fact that contributes important information with respect to the settlements formation.

In this paper we present the results of several archaeoastronomical measurements and argue that Mesoamerican calendric intervals have been operated in Tamtoc. It seems to be clear, that pairs of calendric dates (that are part of particular calendric families) as well as conmensurative intervals were used to orientate and position buildings and formally integrate the urban center.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• Origin and Development of the Precolumbian City of Tamtoc, in the Huasteca Potosina, Mexico: Recent Investigations

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 15498