TORREÓN.- A striking pre-Hispanic sculpture, depicting a woman attired as a ball player, has emerged as a key piece in the ongoing discussion about female power and roles in the ancient Huasteca region. The artifact, currently featured in the "Mesoamerican Huastec Women. Goddesses, Warriors, and Rulers" exhibition at the Regional Museum of La Laguna (Murel), underscores the presence of women in significant ritualistic and potentially political roles.

The sculpture, a limestone carving measuring 1.43 meters tall, showcases a female figure wearing traditional Huastec attire, including a conical headdress, circular earrings, and a yoke – a protective belt worn by ball players. Notably, the figure's skirt iconography includes a trophy-head, a "4 Death" glyph, and a dog's head glyph, prompting researchers to speculate about the woman's name and possible governing status.

María Eugenia Maldonado Vite, co-curator of the exhibition and researcher at the INAH Veracruz Center, explained that the discovery of this sculpture, along with other artifacts, has prompted a reassessment of traditional views on Huastec society. "The ball game was a significant cultural practice in the Gulf Coast region," she stated, "and while rulers were often depicted with player attributes, this is the first representation of a female ball player we've encountered."

The discovery follows the recent findings of two sculptures of the Young Woman of Amajac, further contributing to the growing body of evidence suggesting women held positions of influence in the Huasteca region. Local citizens have also come forward with previously undiscovered artifacts, leading to the registration of private archaeological collections and fueling plans for a future museum in Álamo Temapache, Veracruz.

Archaeological evidence, including ball courts and related artifacts like yokes and palms, confirms the widespread practice of the ball game throughout the Huasteca region. The female ball player sculpture, however, offers a unique perspective on the ritual's social dimensions.

Researchers are considering various hypotheses about the sculpture's origins and significance. Some believe it may predate the Amajac sculptures, dating back to the Late Classic (600-900 AD) or Early Postclassic (900-1200 AD) periods, when El Tajín's influence was prominent. Others suggest it reflects the potential for women to assume leadership roles in Huastec society, referencing historical accounts of female rulers in the region.

The exhibition, organized by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), will remain on display at Murel until July 27, 2025, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the complex and evolving narratives surrounding ancient Huastec culture and the roles of women within it.