El problema del tiempo en los estudios huaxtequistas

Abstract

The northeastern corner of Mesoamerica is historically known as the Huastec region. In Prehispanic times, a distinctive set of artistic expressions characterized this area; most prominent are stone sculptures and ceramic vessels that define the region archaeologically. However, most of these objects come from century-old looting activities and uncontrolled excavations. The region received its name from the once dominant indigenous group – speakers of a Maya-related language, Teenek. The Aztecs called them Cuexteca, today Huastecs. This article discusses how notions of time have constituted a problematic issue for the study of Huastec culture history. There are etic and emic problems. From an etic perspective, we are interested in how historically inclined disciplines identify Huastec presence in the region through their material remains and language patterns. From an emic point of view, we discuss the evidence for time conceptions developed and used by the ancient society, such as astronomical observation points and calendrical records. In this overview of Huastec studies on the topic of time, more questions than answers arise.