View source for Ixtutz

{{Infobox ancient site
| name           = Ixtutz
| alternate_name = 
| image          = Ixtutz Panel 2.jpg
| image_size     = 250px
| alt            = 
| caption        = Fragments of Panel 2
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| location       = [[Dolores, El Petén|Dolores]]
| region         = [[Petén Department]], {{flag|Guatemala}}
| built          = Late Preclassic Period
| abandoned      = Terminal Classic Period
| epochs         = Classic Period
| cultures       = [[Maya civilization]]
| event          = 
| excavations    = 
| archaeologists = Juan Pedro Laporte, [[Merle Greene Robertson]]
IDAEH
| architectural_styles = Classic Maya
| architectural_details =

| notes          = 
Responsible body: [[Instituto de Antropología e Historia|IDAEH]]

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'''Ixtutz''' ({{IPA|/iʃˈtuːts/}}) was an important [[Mesoamerican chronology|Classic Period]] [[Maya city]] located south of [[Ixkun]] in southeastern [[Petén Basin|Petén]], [[Guatemala]].<ref>Laporte 2005, p.200.</ref> Ixtutz is situated in the valley of the [[Poxte River]] in the western portion of the [[Maya Mountains]].<ref>Laporte 2005, p.221. Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.44.</ref> The site was inhabited during the Preclassic Period to the end of the Terminal Classic Period of [[Mesoamerican chronology]] and dominated the western portion of the [[Dolores, El Petén|Dolores]] valley.<ref>Laporte 1992, pp.419, 425. Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.54.</ref>

In the Late Classic Ixtutz was one of the most important centres in the Dolores region, competing fiercely with other sites in the area, and maintained strong political relations with the cities of the southwestern Petén such as [[Dos Pilas]] and [[Machaquila]].<ref name="Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.54">Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.54.</ref>

==Location==
Ixtutz is located in the [[Municipalities of Guatemala|municipality]] of [[Dolores, El Petén|Dolores]], {{convert|8|km|mi}} southwest of that town, in the [[Petén Department]] of northern Guatemala.<ref>Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.44. Ministerio de Culture y Deportes #7.</ref> The site is situated at an altitude of {{convert|400|m|ft}} [[above mean sea level]] in the valley of the Poxte River, surrounded by hilly terrain.<ref name="Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.44">Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.44.</ref> The river itself flows westwards of the site.<ref>Laporte & Escobedo 2009, pp.44-45.</ref>

An area of {{convert|1|km2|sqmi}} is protected by the [[Instituto de Antropología e Historia|Guatemalan Institute of Anthropology and History]].<ref name="Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.44"/> This area is covered by primary rainforest, although the surrounding countryside has been cleared for agriculture.<ref name="Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.44"/>

Other [[Maya civilization|Maya]] archaeological sites in the Ixtutz area include [[Ixtonton]] at {{convert|8.7|km|mi}}, [[Ixkun]] at {{convert|12|km|mi}}, [[Ixcol]] at {{convert|8.2|km|mi}}, [[Moquena]] at {{convert|8.8|km|mi}}, [[El Tzic]] at {{convert|9.4|km|mi}}, [[Sukche]] at {{convert|5.7|km|mi}}, [[Ixcoxol]] at {{convert|4.7|km|mi}}, [[Nocsos]] at {{convert|5.8|km|mi}}, [[Curucuitz]] at {{convert|2.9|km|mi}}, [[Mopan 2]] at {{convert|10|km|mi}}, [[Tesik]] at {{convert|2.9|km|mi}}, [[Ixec]] at {{convert|4|km|mi}} and [[Ixac]] at {{convert|7|km|mi}}.<ref name="Laporte 1992, p.425">Laporte 1992, p.425.</ref>

==History==
{{Maya civilization}}
{|class="wikitable" border="1"
|+'''Known rulers of Ixtutz'''
! '''Name'''
! '''Ruled'''
|-
| [[Aj Yaxjal B’aak]]
| c.780<ref name="Zender, p.4">Zender, p.4.</ref>
|}
Ixtutz was first occupied in the Late Preclassic and occupation continued through the Classic Period. The city appears to have already been important before it started erecting sculpted monuments in the Late Classic.<ref name="Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.54"/>

During the Late Classic Ixtutz was one of the five most important Maya cities in the northwestern portion of the [[Maya Mountains]], along with [[Sacul, El Petén|Sacul]], Ixtonton, Ixkun and Curucuitz.<ref name="Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.44"/> Around 760 AD the political organization of the region appears to have changed and the rulers of Ixtutz and neighbouring Sacul began to erect sculpted monuments with hieroglyphic texts and to use their own [[Maya script#Emblem glyphs|Emblem Glyphs]].<ref name="Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.54"/>

In the late 8th century AD Ixtutz was subordinate to one of the [[Petexbatún]] cities to the west. A text on Stela 4 mentions that Ixtutz's overlord came from the city of Mutuul and this was likely to have been either the kingdom of [[Seibal]]-[[La Amelia]] or [[Aguateca]], although at this time four different kingdoms in the region were claiming the Mutuul title of the fallen Dos Pilas kingdom.<ref>Zender, p.3.</ref>

A stela dated to AD 780 records a ceremony performed by king [[Aj Yaxjal B’aak]] and attended by his overlord from the Petexbatún, most likely to have been [[Tan Te' K'inich]] of Aguateca, and 28 other lords from both within the Dolores valley and further afield.<ref>Zender, pp.4, 6.n.7.</ref> Ixtutz experienced a decrease in activity during the [[Mesoamerican chronology|Terminal Classic]] period,<ref>Laporte 2005, p.225.</ref> after AD 825 all sites in the region ceased to erect further monuments although occupation continued.<ref name="Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.54"/> Ixtutz and other centres in the Dolores region were finally abandoned at the end of the Terminal Classic.<ref name="Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.54"/>

===Modern history===
The site was first discovered in 1852 by Colonel Modesto Mendez (then Governor of Petén) and Eusebio Lara before being lost for more than a century.<ref>Zender, p.1. Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.47.</ref> American archaeologist [[Merle Greene Robertson]] visited the site in 1970–1971. She recorded its monuments and published a site map.<ref name="Zender, p.1">Zender, p.1.</ref> Eric Von Euw and [[Ian Graham]] visited Ixtutz in 1972, and published a new map and illustrations of [[stele|stelae]] 1&ndash;4 together with the fragments of Panel 1.<ref name="Zender, p.1"/> In 1985 archaeologists of the [[Tikal]] Project visited the site, carried out limited test excavations, and moved some monument pieces to Dolores.<ref name="Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.47">Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.47.</ref> The Atlas Arqueológico de Guatemala has carried out limited excavations at the site since 1987, including the excavation of four structures located on the Main Plaza.<ref name="Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.47"/>

The ruins have suffered only limited damage from looters.<ref name="Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.44"/>

==Site description==
[[File:Ixtutz Late Classic Vase.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Late Classic ceramic vessel from Ixtutz]]
Ixtutz includes several plazas and [[Mesoamerican pyramids|temple pyramids]], a [[Mesoamerican ballcourts|ballcourt]] and two acropolis complexes with [[Corbel arch|vaulted]] palaces. Monuments at the site include 12 [[Maya stelae|stelae]] and 4 Altars.

The site contains 9 [[Maya architecture|architectural]] groups in the site;<ref name="Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.44"/> in the periphery there are 30 groups with 122 mapped structures.<ref>Laporte 1992, p.417.</ref> The groups in the site core include a ceremonial group and three groups that could be elite residencial complexes.<ref name="Laporte 1992, p.425"/> The site lacks a [[Mesoamerican ballcourts|Mesoamerican ballcourt]].<ref name="Laporte 1992, p.425"/> A large enclosure within the ceremonial group may have been dedicated to the cultivation of a high-value crop such as [[cacoa bean|cacao]] although this has not been confirmed.<ref name="Laporte 1992, p.425"/> Although the site was occupied during the Preclassic period, the majority of the architecture is believed to date to the Late Classic.<ref>Laporte 1992, p.426.</ref> The ceremonial city of the centre, in spite of the simplicity of its layout, possesses traits that distinguish it as an important regional site. Among these traits the most unusual is the presence of an [[E-Group]] complex, the only such complex in the entire Dolores region.<ref name="Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.54"/> Ixtutz has stylistic similarities with Machaquila in southwest Petén.<ref name="Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.54"/>

A [[Maya writing|hieroglyphic text]] on a stela at the site mentions the [[Mesoamerican chronology|Late Classic]] city of Dos Pilas in the [[Petexbatún]] region.<ref>Laporte 2005, p.201.</ref> At least one monument from the site depicts a war captive.<ref>Laporte 2005, p.224.</ref>

===Group A===
'''Plaza A''' is the largest plaza in Ixtutz, with a total area of {{convert|2925|m2|sqft}}.<ref>Laporte et al 1992, p.1.</ref> The plaza includes 11 structures, including the only E-group complex in the region.<ref>Laporte et al 1992, p.1. Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.54.</ref> The structures around the plaza have been dated to the Late Classic.<ref>Laporte et al 1992, p.2.</ref>

'''Structure 1''' is on the north side of Plaza A. The structure has two levels and a south-facing stairway where the treads are much wider than the height of the risers. The summit of the upper level of the structure was flat, possessing no superstructure.<ref name="Laporte et al 1992, pp.2-3">Laporte et al 1992, pp.2-3.</ref>

'''Structure 2''' is the '''West Pyramid''' of the E-Group. It is very poorly preserved with various part of the building having collapsed and with no surviving trace of any access stairway. It supported a bench on the summit. The remains of Stela 5 were found in front of this building.<ref name="Laporte et al 1992, p.5">Laporte et al 1992, p.5.</ref>

'''Structure 3''' is at the southern extreme of the west side of Plaza A and is in a poor state of preservation. It was built from large blocks that measured up to {{convert|0.8|m|ft}} high by {{convert|0.6|m|ft}} thick. The steps start wider than their height, with the treads {{convert|0.92|m|ft}} wide until the sixth step, after which they decrease to a width {{convert|0.6|m|ft}}. A raised bench is set into the upper platform.<ref name="Laporte et al 1992, pp.3-4">Laporte et al 1992, pp.3-4.</ref>

Structures 4, 5 and 6 together form the '''South Platform''', enclosing the south side of Plaza A. They were built with thin, flat stones without much mortar between. The platform's access stairway climbs the central section (Structure 5).<ref name="Laporte et al 1992, pp.3-4"/>

'''Structure 4''' is a small structure set upon the lowest section of the platform on the west side. The platform is only {{convert|1.2|m|ft}} high on this side.<ref name="Laporte et al 1992, pp.3-4"/>

'''Structure 5''' is {{convert|4|m|ft}} high and comprises the centre section of the south platform. The facade of the structure supports the platforms access stairway while the rear descends in two terraces. Two benches are upon the upper part of the structure.<ref name="Laporte et al 1992, pp.3-4"/>

'''Structure 6''' is very similar to Structure 4 and forms the east section of the South Platform.<ref>Laporte et al 1992, p.4.</ref>

The '''East Platform''' of the E-Group supports Structures 9, 10 and 11. The platform is {{convert|65|m|ft}} long and {{convert|2|m|ft}} high.<ref name="Laporte et al 1992, p.5"/>

'''Structure 9''' is upon the southern part of the East Platform. It is {{convert|1.2|m|ft}} high.<ref name="Laporte et al 1992, pp.4-5">Laporte et al 1992, pp.4-5.</ref>

'''Structure 10''' is the central structure of the E-Group East Platform. The structure had no superstructure but supported a {{convert|1.5|m|ft|adj=on}} high platform. The stub of Stela 7 was found in front of this platform.<ref name="Laporte et al 1992, p.5"/>

'''Structure 11''' stands upon the northern part of the East Platform. It is {{convert|1.2|m|ft}} high.<ref name="Laporte et al 1992, pp.4-5"/>

===Group B===
This group is located to the northeast of Group A. It is a secondary ceremonial centre dating to the Late Classic and possesses 5 structures laid out around a {{convert|650|m2|sqft|adj=on}} patio.<ref name="Laporte et al 1992, pp.4-5"/>

'''Structure 12''' is a basal platform on the west side of the patio. It supports two platforms.<ref name="Laporte et al 1992, p.5"/>

'''Structure 15''' is a platform with a wide access stairway located on the east side of the patio.<ref name="Laporte et al 1992, p.5"/>

===Group C===
Group C is situated on a {{convert|45|m|ft|adj=on}} high limestone hill to the west of Group A. The group consists of 7 low platforms laid out around a {{convert|670|m2|sqft|adj=on}} plaza, leaving the patio open on the east side.<ref>Laporte et al 1992, pp.4, 6.</ref>

===Group J===
Group J is located northeast of Group A, to the north of Group B. There are 3 structures arranged around a {{convert|450|m2|sqft|adj=on}} patio. The largest structure is on the north side while the south side was left open. Investigations revealed three layers of occupation, with the final layer dating to the Late Classic and the earlier levels to the Preclassic.<ref name="Laporte et al 1992, pp.4-5"/>

===Monuments===
The plaza in '''Group A''' contained a number of sculpted monuments that were likely to have been erected by king Aj Yaxjal B’aak in the 8th century AD.<ref name="Zender, p.4"/>

'''Panel 1''' was originally set into Structure 1 on the north side of Plaza A.<ref name="Laporte et al 1992, pp.2-3"/>

'''Panel 2''' is fragmented, the pieces have been moved to Dolores and are now in the [[Museo Regional del Sureste de Petén]] (Southeastern Petén Regional Museum).<ref name="Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.47"/> It was originally set into Structure 1 with Panel 1.<ref name="Laporte et al 1992, pp.2-3"/>

Stelae 1 through to 4 were all erected at the east end of the main plaza and were served by a single altar. All five monuments were likely to have been erected by Aj Yaxjal B’aak.<ref>Zender, p.6.n.4</ref>

'''Stelae 1''', '''2''' and '''3''' all remain ''in situ'' at Ixtutz, protected by palm-leaf canopies.<ref name="Laporte & Escobedo 2009, p.47"/>

'''Stela 4''' was originally located at the base of the platform that supported Structures 9, 10 and 11 in Group A. The monument carved from [[limestone]] and is sculpted on one face only and contains a hieroglyphic text without any accompanying portrait. The text is largely well-preserved due to the monument having fallen face down in ancient times. This text records that the stela was dedicated on 28 November in AD 780.<ref name="Zender, p.1"/>

'''Stela 5''' was a limestone monument erected in front of Structure 2 (the West Pyramid). The stela was badly fragmented and may have been plain.<ref name="Laporte et al 1992, p.5"/>

'''Stela 7''' was placed on the summit of Structure 10, in front of its summit platform. Only the base of the stela remains in place.<ref name="Laporte et al 1992, p.5"/>

==Notes==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==References==
{{refbegin|indent=yes}}<!--BEGIN biblio format. -->
* {{cite journal |author=Laporte, Juan Pedro   |author-link=Juan Pedro Laporte | date=December 1992 |title=Los sitios arqueológicos del valle de Dolores en las montañas mayas de Guatemala |journal=[[Mesoamérica (journal)|Mesoamérica]] |volume=24 |pages=413–439 |location=Antigua Guatemala |publisher=El Centro de Investigaciones Regionales de Mesoamérica (CIRMA) in conjunction with Plumsock Mesoamerican Studies, South Woodstock, VT |issn=0252-9963 |oclc=7141215|language=es}}
* {{cite web |author=Laporte, Juan Pedro   |author2=Héctor L. Escobedo |author3=Jorge Mario Samayoa |author4=Rolando Torres |author5=Paulino I. Morales |author6=Álvaro Jacobo |author7= Irma Rodas  |year=1992 |title=Reconocimiento y excavación en Ixtutz, Dolores, Petén. |url=http://www.atlasarqueologico.com/pdf/reportes/Rep-6.1%20-%20Ixtutz%20-%20en%20PDF.pdf |format=[[PDF]] online publication |work=Reporte 6, Atlas Arqueológico de Guatemala |pages=1–22 |publisher=[[Instituto de Antropología e Historia]] |location=Guatemala |access-date=2009-06-14|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112082628/http://www.atlasarqueologico.com/pdf/reportes/Rep-6.1%20-%20Ixtutz%20-%20en%20PDF.pdf|archive-date=2014-11-12}}
* {{cite book |author=Laporte, Juan Pedro   |year=2005 |chapter=Terminal Classic Settlement and Polity in the Mopan Valley, Petén, Guatemala |editor=Arthur A. Demarest |editor2=Prudence M. Rice |editor3=Don S. Rice|title=The Terminal Classic in the Maya lowlands: Collapse, transition, and transformation |url=https://archive.org/details/terminalclassici00arth   |url-access=registration   |location=Boulder |publisher=[[University Press of Colorado]] |pages=[https://archive.org/details/terminalclassici00arth/page/195 195–230]|isbn=0-87081-822-8 |oclc=61719499}}
* {{cite web |author=Laporte, Juan Pedro   |author2=Héctor L. Escobedo |year=2009 |title=Ixtutz: Algunas consideraciones generales. |url=http://www.atlasarqueologico.com/pdf/monografias/Seccion_02_-_Ixtutz_general_listo.pdf |format=[[PDF]] online publication |work=Ixtutz y Curucuitz: Entidades políticas de la cuenca alta del río Poxte, Dolores y Poptun, Petén. Monografía 8, Atlas Arqueológico de Guatemala |pages=44–56 |publisher=Dirección General de Patrimonio Cultural y Natural, Guatemala |access-date=2009-06-14|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112082450/http://www.atlasarqueologico.com/pdf/monografias/Seccion_02_-_Ixtutz_general_listo.pdf|archive-date=2014-11-12}}
* {{cite web|author=Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes  |url=http://www.mcd.gob.gt/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/sitios-arqueologicos-con-lugares-sagrados.pdf |publisher=Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes |location=Guatemala |title=Base de Datos Sitios Arqueológicos |access-date=2010-06-10|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526130029/http://www.mcd.gob.gt/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/sitios-arqueologicos-con-lugares-sagrados.pdf|archive-date=2012-05-26 }}
* {{cite web |author=Zender, Marc   |year=n.d. |title=A Note on the Inscription of Ixtutz Stela 2 |publisher=PARI Online Publications |url=http://www.mesoweb.com/pari/publications/journal/204/Ixtutz.pdf |access-date=2010-06-13}}
{{refend}}<!-- END biblio format style -->

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{{Maya sites}}

{{Coord missing|Guatemala}}

[[Category:Maya sites in Petén Department]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Guatemala]]
[[Category:Former populated places in Guatemala]]