The Lloyd's in...

September 2015 

MIXCO VIEJO

Another fun day trip with the President and Hermana Cox. This time, we find ourselves traveling through San Juan Sacatepeque to Mixco Viejo. Mixco Viejo are the ruins of a postclassic Maya civilization, the Chajoma Kaqchikel kingdom. 

On the road again...

The fellow in the upper right hand corner must have the muscles of Rocky. He lifts heavy objects not only into the back of the bus, but also climbs up and puts them on top of the bus!

An unexpected...all right...wrong turn takes us to beautiful farm land, quaint little villages, and hand laid paver block roads. It was beautiful and peaceful. And, the road actually took us around a circle where we ended up where we began!

Then, on to the ruins at Mixco Viejo.

The city was settled to provide a safer capital for its people against the hostile Iximche kingdom. (See earlier post of our trip to Iximche.) 12 groups of structures exist today but once there were over 120 single structures. The city was in existence from 900 B.C. to 1524 B.C. when the Spanish invaded and destroyed the kingdom. It is estimated that between 1,450 to 1,600 people inhabited the area. 

The second picture is actually a relief map that shows the terrain and structures located on the top. It is quite a hilly with deep ravines and pathways that intertwine throughout the area. 

These structures were very different from most we have seen. They are very plain and lower to the ground. We did not see any carvings unlike all the other ruins we have visited. The rock layering is thin and very geometric somewhat like what you would see on rock fireplaces. The ball field is quite prominent and is thought that perhaps it was a major playing field in the region. Mixco Viejo was also a important city because of its defense organization and for being a major religious center of its time. When the Spanish invaded, it was quite difficult. After many tries, it was an native who showed them a secret passage to enter the city. 

On our way home...Guatemala rain storm style. Check out the road and our trip through the 'lake'. Just another afternoon rainstorm. The rainy season came late and boy have we had some gushers! 

Thank you Coxes for another great trip. We look forward to the next one!