Description
Archeological Zone located 12km from Comitan city over calcareous hills at 1600-1700 meters
over sea level in the Mayan zone border area. The word Tenam is a Nahuatl word
to mean fortification.
The main occupation period corresponds to early classic and postclassical, approximately 300 to 1200
years of our age, when the Mayan central places were abandoned. Its strategic position in the route
leading to the heights allows access to important commercial networks. Tenam Puente is important
because it represents the transition from classic to post classical and it is one of the less studied period
of the Chiapas archeology. It was mentioned for the first time in the book Tribus y Templos,
published by Franz Blom and Oliver La Farge in 1928.
The settlements nuclear zone is composed of more than 60 structures distributed in an area of
approximately 30 hectare; most buildings and the most important are located in the so called
Acropolis.
It is built in a strategic position on a mountain viewing the comiteca plain spreading to the
Montebello lagoons; it was necessary to level the hills through high and long terraces built
at different levels, for this Acropolis construction; they gradually reduce its height and extension. Over
these platforms open and closed plazas, plazuelas and yards were built, and limited by several
constructions. Three Juegos de Pelota (Sacred Ball Game Places) and the Acropolis with
its 4 and 7 structures are outstanding.
Weather
Semi hot to sub humid with heavy rains.
Location
La Trinitaria municipality, at border region state's.
How to get there?
12km from Comitan, to Panamericana 190 highway to La Trinitaria.
What to do?
Archeological vestiges observation, trekking and landscape.
Visit times
8:00 to 17:00 Every day of the year. Free visit.
Travel hints
The place can be visited all year and it is suggested bring drinking water and food, adequate clothes and mountain shoes to long walks, sweat shirt and a raincoat for summer rains.
Places near by
Comitan de Dominguez city and Parador Museo Santa Maria Inn.
Contact
Instituto Nacional de
Antropologia e Historia
(National Institute of
Anthropology and History)
Calzada de los hombres ilustres S/N,
Tuxtla Gutierrez City
Phone numbers: 01 (961) 613-4554 /
612-8360 &
613-4450
Secretaria de Turismo
(Tourism State Office)
National toll free number: 01 (800) 280-3500
