Quiahuiztlan facts for kids
Quiahuiztlan was an important ancient city in what is now Mexico. It was one of four main cities, called altepetl, that formed a powerful group known as the confederation of Tlaxcala. Today, you can find its location within the modern city of Tlaxcala in Tlaxcala State.
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History of Quiahuiztlan
There are two places named Quiahuiztlan in Mexico, which can be a bit confusing! The Quiahuiztlan we are talking about here is in Tlaxcala State. It is not connected to another ancient site with the same name in Veracruz State.
Quiahuiztlan in Veracruz
The Quiahuiztlan in Veracruz State was part of the Totonac culture around the 1500s. This site is famous because the Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés visited it. It had temples, ballcourts, and homes built on hillsides.
Archaeological Discoveries
Experts have studied the Quiahuiztlan site in Tlaxcala State. Archaeologists like Alfonso Medellín Zenil and Ramón Arellanos Melgarejo led these digs. They helped us learn more about this ancient city.
Political Changes
In the early 1500s, Quiahuiztlan in Tlaxcala State briefly left the Tlaxcala confederation. This was a big political move! During this time, they also changed their religious leaders. They replaced their Franciscan priests with Dominican ones.
However, Quiahuiztlan soon rejoined the Tlaxcala confederation. Even after rejoining, the idea of Quiahuiztlan leaving again was sometimes used as a political threat. This showed how important and influential Quiahuiztlan was within the confederation.
