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The steamy Gulf state of Tabasco was the site of La Venta, the largest Olmec city, which contained 18,000 inhabitants at its zenith between 800 and 500 BC. On an island on the Tonala River delta 15 kilometers (nine miles) from the Gulf, archeologists found the remains of a 34-meter (112-foot)-tall ceremonial mound, four colossal heads, mosaic floors in the shape of jaguar masks and tombs made of basalt pillars, containing offerings of jade figurines arranged in circular ceremonial scenes. Between AD 200 and 900, Tabasco lay on the western border of the Classic Maya expansion. The only major site was Comalcalco, northwest of Villahermosa. After AD 900, the state was the home of the Chontal-speaking Putun Maya, who were known to the Aztecs as the Olmeca-Xicallanca. These aggressive traders penetrated as far as Oaxaca, Cholula and Cacaxtla in central Mexico; not much is known about their culture along the Gulf coast. In 1518, Juan de Grijalva landed in Tabasco, and he was soon followed
by Cortes, who landed his expedition at a Putun Maya
town called Potonchan. The Spanish won a bloody victory against a large
Maya
army near a town up the Rio Grijalva named Tabasco (now Villahermosa)
and were given a peace offering of 20 Indian maidens. Among them was La
Malinche, whose assistance proved crucial to the Spanish effort. Cortes
passed through the region again in 1525 on his expedition to Honduras,
but the state wasn't conquered until the next decade by Francisco de Montejo.
Spanish colonization arrived slowly in Tabasco due to its isolation and
lack of rich resources to exploit. During the last three decades, huge
oil deposits have been found underneath and offshore Tabasco; the state
is now booming with petroleum-induced prosperity. Featured Mexico Travel DestinationsUPDATE 1-Mexico central bank sees 2006 growth near 3.5 pctUPDATE 1-Mexico central bank sees 2006 growth near 3.5 pct Mexico's central bank governor Guillermo Ortiz said on Thursday the economy will grow close to 3.5 UPDATE 2-Mexico's Walmex quarterly net rises 34 percentMexican retail powerhouse Wal-Mart de Mexico, or Walmex, posted 34 percent growth in net profit for the third quarter on Friday as aggressive expansion Club de Yates: AcapulcoClub de Yates: Acapulco Police set to bring back teacher who fled to Mexico with 14-year-old boyPolice set to bring back teacher who fled to Mexico with 14-year-old boy Police from a small Kentucky town are on a 1,500-mile trek to Laredo, Mexico demanding a responseMexico demanding a response ONE month after Mexicos elections uncertainty still remains over who actually won them, while tensions is growing in expectation of a Mexico’s sly Fox may have saved his best for lastMexico’s sly Fox may have saved his best for last In what was supposed to be the reenactment of an annual ritual held over from autocratic Museo Antiguo Palacio de Medicina: Mexico CityMuseo Antiguo Palacio de Medicina: Mexico City Museo Tecnologico de la Comision Federal de Electricidad: Mexico CityMuseo Tecnologico de la Comision Federal de Electricidad: Mexico City Gran Plaza o Macroplaza: MonterreyGran Plaza o Macroplaza: Monterrey Mexico High Court Allows Drug Extradition to U.S., Reforma SaysMexico High Court Allows Drug Extradition to U.S., Reforma Says Mexico may send its citizens to stand trial abroad where a life sentence is possible, |
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