Quiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz
Postclassic (1200–1520 CE) Totonac-Huastec mixed·Totonac (Postclassic Quiahuiztlan allied to Cortés 1519)·🇲🇽 Veracruz, near Actopan, Quiahuiztlan, Cerro de los Metates hill, Mexico
About
About Quiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz
Veracruz Quiahuiztlan excavated by INAH, 78 tombs Totonac necropolis, Cortés 1519 alliance spot.
Why it mattersKey Totonac (Postclassic Quiahuiztlan allied to Cortés 1519) pyramid with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Collapse cause
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1200 CE hill town; 1519 contact
- Period
- Postclassic (1200–1520 CE) Totonac-Huastec mixed
- Culture
- Totonac (Postclassic Quiahuiztlan allied to Cortés 1519)
- Purpose
- Cliff necropolis city — 78 small Totonac T-shaped tomb pyramids (8 m high each) on ridge with Cortés parlay terrace
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1974
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1200 BCE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Quiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz
c. 1200 CE hill town; 1519 contact
Initial construction / first occupation at Quiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz
1990 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Quiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz
On the ground
Structures & features
19.7420° N · 96.4040° W · 800 m · 4 mapped features
Quiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz — Principal Pyramid
pyramidpyramid at Quiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz — hydraulic feature
19.7416° N · 96.4042° WQuiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz — Northern Chamber
chamberchamber at Quiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz — subsidiary complex
19.7428° N · 96.4041° WQuiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz — Causeway Annex 3
causewaycauseway at Quiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz — subsidiary complex
19.7404° N · 96.4032° WQuiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz — Eastern Pyramid
pyramidpyramid at Quiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz — hydraulic feature
19.7404° N · 96.4024° W