Archaeological Site: Jilotepeque Viejo
| Mixco Viejo (Jilotepeque Viejo) | |
|---|---|
View of Mixco Viejo, including Groups B at left, B-X at bottom right, Group A in the distance and Group D extending at centre right |
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| Location | |
| Country | Guatemala |
| Region | Chimaltenango Department |
| Municipality | San Martín Jilotepeque |
| Nearest town | San Juan Sacatepéquez |
| History | |
| Culture | Chajoma Maya |
| First occupied | Postclassic Period |
| Abandoned | c.1521 AD |
| Excavation and maintenance | |
| Responsible body | IDAEH |
| Restored by | Henri Lehmann and Francisco Ferrus Roig |
| Date restored | 1954–1967 |
| Dates excavated | 1954–1967 |
| Notable archaeologists | Henri Lehmann |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Postclassic Maya |
Although the site now known as Mixco Viejo was traditionally considered the Poqomam capital, recent investigations have instead identified the ruins as the capital of the Kaqchikel-speaking Chajoma Maya, and have suggested that its identification as the historical Mixco Viejo is the result of confusion in the interpretation of colonial records. The site was apparently known to the Chajoma by a variety of names, including Chuapec Kekacajol Nima Abaj (also spelt Chuwa Pek Q'eqak'ajol Nima Ab'aj), meaning "Great stone in front of the Cave of the Children of Night", Zakicajol and Nimcakajpec. Jilotepeque Viejo is estimated to have had a population of approximately 1,500 inhabitants. Jilotepeque was close to the San Martín Jilotepeque obsidian source, giving the inhabitants ready access to the resource.
The site is open to the public and has a small museum. The site was declared a protected archaeological zone by Ministerial Accord 1210 of the Guatemalan Ministerio de Educación ("Ministry of Education") on 12 June 1970.
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