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. Recorded context — Period: Postclassic (1200–1520 CE) Totonac-Huastec mixed; Culture: Totonac (Postclassic Quiahuiztlan allied to Cortés 1519); Field status: partially excavated; Materials: limestone, clay; Condition: preserved.
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 Pyramidpyramidpyramid at Quiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz — hydraulic feature19.7416° N · 96.4042° W
- Quiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz — Northern Chamberchamberchamber at Quiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz — subsidiary complex19.7428° N · 96.4041° W
- Quiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz — Causeway Annex 3causewaycauseway at Quiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz — subsidiary complex19.7404° N · 96.4032° W
- Quiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz — Eastern Pyramidpyramidpyramid at Quiahuiztlan — Hilltop Cliff Necropolis Veracruz — hydraulic feature19.7404° N · 96.4024° W
Gallery