El Tajin was perhaps the most important Classic Veracruz site (500 AD. - 1100 AD.). The site derives it's name from a modern Totanac Indian belief that twelve old men named Tajin reside in the ruins and control the storms that rumble atop this hill in northern Veracruz. The center was first occupied during the early Classic era reaching its apex around 900 AD. The people of thissite had a tremendous fascination with the ballgame and over nine of them have been excavated. The Pyramid of the Niches is one of the more unique buildings at the site, while the Building of Columns is the largest Palace of the site. The people of this site managed to survive into the Post-classic era (1000 Ad.). Evidence of fire damage supports the indian account that nomadic hordes of Chichimec barbarians from the north, overan and destroyed the city in the thirteenth century.