"Roaming through the province of Panuco Huasteca and ..." The presence of the Huasteca culture in the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro

Abstract

Research has revealed diverse aspects of the history and archaeology of the inhabitants of this zone of the Sierra Gorda. Based on cultural vestiges it is believed that the pre-Hispanic inhabitants of the region were Huastecs, Otomies, and Pame Chichimecs and Jonaces or Mecos, in addition to late Nahua influence. The Huastecs stand out from these groups; they have made the zone—from antiquity to the present—into a region characterized by the presence and influence of this culture. Therefore, it is striking that some authors claim the Sierra Gorda region lacks the typical features of Huastec influence, a claim that seems to be untenable in light of current knowledge of the region.