El Tajín: Great Center of the Northeast

The largest and most important city in the area of Veracruz, El Tajín flourished between 600-1000 AD as a center for religion, art, architecture, and engineering. The art of El Tajín is closely connected to rituals of the ballgame (juego de pelota), a brutal, bloody athletic ceremony which was performed for at least 2,000 years in every corner of Mesoamerica.


El Tajín

el tajín: pyramid of the niches and buildings 3, 4, and 5

Pyramid of the Niches

el tajín: pyramid of the niches

Plaque

plaque (possibly a mirror back)

Head Hacha

head hacha

Palma

palma

North Ball Court

el tajín: north ball court

Carved Yoke

carved yoke

Head Hacha (Profile)

head hacha (profile)