La Joya
La Joya de San Martín Garabato
Classic Veracruz 100–1000 CE·Classic Veracruz (Remojadas-Early Gulf)·🇲🇽 Veracruz, Mexico
About
About La Joya
Classic Veracruz epicenter mound complex (100–1000 CE) on Jamapa-Cotaxtla alluvium: major platform pyramid 26 m high (base 65×65 m) earliest earthen pyramid in Veracruz, surrounding plaza with ballcourt (San Martín acropolis) and Palace of Palmettes with niched mansions. Classic Veracruz ceramic and Remojadas hollow figurine head fragments; decline concurrent with El Tajín collapse. Earth-filled pyramids faced with river pebbles.
Why it mattersEarliest earthen pyramid on Veracruz Gulf showing non-stone pyramid tradition contemporary to Teotihuacan.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01La Joya political relation to El Tajín autonomy vs node
- 02Earthen pyramid durability vs stone veneer stability theory
Theories
- 01Alluvial plain pyramid as earth-monumentality adaptation to lack of stone
- 02Palace of Palmettes as elite multi-room elite compound precursor to Tajín
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.100–1000 CE
- Period
- Classic Veracruz 100–1000 CE
- Culture
- Classic Veracruz (Remojadas-Early Gulf)
- Builders
- Veracruz Gulf Tradition
- Purpose
- Coastal plain pyramid city, ballcourt and palace capital
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.100–1000 CE
Initial construction
c. 1470 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
19.0575° N · 96.1406° W · 10 m · 2 mapped features
La Joya central feature
featureMain architectural feature
19.0575° N · 96.1406° WLa Joya secondary sector
sectorSecondary sector
19.0585° N · 96.1396° W
Gallery