Quiahuiztlan was one of the four altepetl (states) that made up the confederation of Tlaxcala.
Located on the lower slopes of a volcanic mountain on the gulf coast of Veracruz state, Mexico, it was occupied in the 16th century AD as part of the Totonac culture. Its temples, ballcourt, plazas and residences are built on artificial and natural terraces on the fairly high relief flanks of the mountain. The site is most-likely famous for its association with the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés. Excavations conducted at Quiahuiztlan were conducted by Alfonso Medellín Zenil and Ramón Arellanos Melgarejo, from the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia.[1]
In the early 16th century, Quiahuiztlan briefly seceded from the confederation, and replaced its Franciscan priests with Dominican ones. Quiahuiztlan subsequently rejoined Tlaxcala, but the possibility of a repeat secession continued to be used as a political threat.[2]
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