El Tajín — Pyramid of Niches North Stair (Veracruz)
Tajin N Stair
Old to Middle Kingdom (2700–1800 BCE)·Old Kingdom / Middle Kingdom·🇲🇽 Veracruz, El Tajín, Mexico
About
About El Tajín — Pyramid of Niches North Stair (Veracruz)
El Tajín — Pyramid of Niches North Stair (Veracruz) in Veracruz, El Tajín, Mexico is a Old to Middle Kingdom (2700–1800 BCE) pyramid attributed to Old Kingdom / Middle Kingdom. Systematic survey and photogrammetry document architectural phasing. The site includes a principal platform and ancillary necropolis. Dimensions base 22.5 m × 22.5 m; height 12 m; inclination 52°; area 8.0 ha. Excavation partially-excavated; condition partially preserved. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Old Kingdom / Middle Kingdom pyramid with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 120 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Relation to regional network
Theories
- 01Elite residence hypothesis
- 02Territorial marker
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2600 BCE
- Period
- Old to Middle Kingdom (2700–1800 BCE)
- Culture
- Old Kingdom / Middle Kingdom
- Builders
- Old Kingdom
- Purpose
- Funerary monument and ritual complex
- Rediscovered
- 1891
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 2600 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1071 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1892
Modern rediscovery and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
20.4500° N · 97.3800° W · 120 m · 4 mapped features
- Main Pyramid CorepyramidMain Pyramid Core at El Tajín — Pyramid of Niches North Stair (Veracruz) — pyramid with stratified deposits20.4500° N · 97.3802° W
- Mortuary ChapelchapelMortuary Chapel at El Tajín — Pyramid of Niches North Stair (Veracruz) — chapel with stratified deposits20.4506° N · 97.3815° W
- Causeway SegmentcausewayCauseway Segment at El Tajín — Pyramid of Niches North Stair (Veracruz) — causeway with stratified deposits20.4478° N · 97.3819° W
- Subsidiary ShaftshaftSubsidiary Shaft at El Tajín — Pyramid of Niches North Stair (Veracruz) — shaft with stratified deposits20.4483° N · 97.3783° W
Gallery