Itzimte Vol. 4.1

The ruins are located in a generally flat area surrounded by small hills approximately 2.5 km northeast of Bolonchen de Rejón, Campeche. The hills are often topped by structures of varying sizes, from low platforms to complex groups, some of which are visible on the eastern side of the Bolonchen-Uxmal highway.

Itzimte is readily accessible. A milpa road breaks off the main highway about 2.5 km from the center of Bolonchen, and the site is reached after a walk of about 500 m on this road.

There is an aguada in the site, but it is often waterless. The nine wells of Bolonchen are also unreliable sources of water in the dry season, but the Mexican government has now installed a potable water system in the town.

The first recorded visit to Itzimte was made by John Lloyd Stephens in 1842 (Stephens 1848, pp. 139-141). He spent only a short while at the site as even at that time it had been badly looted by the townspeople of Bolonchen who had carted away many of the facing stones. Consequently his description of the site was sketchy.

In 1887 Teobert Maler visited the site (Maler 1902, pp. 216-217) and, in somewhat more emotional terms than Stephens, decried the looting. In his report he included a photograph of the then still relatively well preserved Structure 58, which has since collapsed.

Neither Stephens nor Maler nor later reports (for example, Ruz Lhuillier 1945, p. 47) mention the existence of inscriptions at the site, although Stephens did run across the "headless trunk of a sculptured body" which has since disappeared.

Following a report of looting of ruins near Bolonchen, a preliminary visit to the site was made in March 1973, when the existence of sculptured stelae was ascertained. The recording of the sculpture and the mapping of the site were carried out later that year in two visits totaling 18 days.

It is most unfortunate that so much stone has been taken from Itzimte. Not only has the removal of carefully cut facing stones detracted from the beauty of the structures, but in several cases it has resulted in their collapse. In many instances the structures have been so savagely bulldozed that their original shape can not be determined. And yet, despite over 140 years of stone removal, there are still impressive vestiges left.

Perhaps the most important group at the site is that formed by Structures 1 to 4, surrounding a raised plaza. Structure 1 is the largest in the group, rising to about 13 m above ground level (8.5 above plaza level) and is especially noteworthy because of the size of some of its rooms: one, for example, is 13.2 m long, 2.85 m wide, and 4.25 m high. In the well preserved room under the northern stairway there is a capstone decorated in low relief. Clear evidence of a painted hieroglyphic band can still be distinguished on the plaster covering the only wall of Structure 4 that still stands.

The other large group is formed by Structures 16 to 19, Structure 19 being the highest (height: 9 m).

There are many other dispersed structures in the site, several of which are built on hilltops. (Most nearby hilltops in fact have some evidence of construction.) Some are nothing more than flattened platforms containing in many cases one or more chultuns, but in other cases a more complex group of structures has been constructed on the hill: the group formed by Structures 35 to 37 surrounds a plaza 8.5 m above the foot of the hill.

The largest and most impressive structure in Itzimte (Structure 63) was also built to take advantage of the natural terrain. Only the front has been finished with artificial terraces, the back showing little more than the natural contour of the hill. A staircase leads to a platform 4.5 m high, on which there is a row of ten rooms, the central portion forming a part of the platform on which the pyramidal base for the highest structure rests. Structure 63, reaching a maximum height of 22 m, is the highest structure in Itzimte.

All the stelae at the site were found on the low platform designated as Structure 30. When the stelae were first seen several pieces had been overturned and the fragments were in obvious disarray. It was apparent that looting had occurred and even though a thorough search for the missing fragments was made, many never appeared. It is not only the looters that can be held accountable for the destruction of the sculpture, the burning of the fields in preparation for planting has not only obliterated the details of sculpture exposed to the fire, but has damaged even those pieces which fell face down, the high temperature cracking the stone.

In addition to the pieces published here, some small fragments were found and photographed. Little detail is left in them and as it could not be determined from which stela they had broken off, they have not been included here, but can nevertheless be found in the archives of the Peabody Museum.

When Stephens was at the site, it was already known as Itzimte (he spelled it Ytsimpte). The name has consequently been retained (as Itzimte-Bolonchen), even though there is another site with inscriptions by that name in Guatemala, usually spelled Itsimte, however.

Stelae 1 and 3 to 12
(Stela 2 is plain)
Lintel 1

MALER, TEOBERT

1902    "Yukatekische Forschungen," Globus, vol. 82, pp. 216-217.

RUZ LHUILLIER, ALBERTO

1945    "Campeche en la Arqueología Maya," Acta Anthropologica 1:2-3, p. 47.

STEPHENS, JOHN LLOYD

1848    Incidents of Travel in Yucatan, vol. 2, pp. 139-141. Harperand Bros., New York.

Location

Westernmost of the twelve stelae set up on Structure 30, the stela platform. It was taken to the Campeche Museum in 1973.

Condition

The lower piece was found in situ, but was almost completely destroyed by fire. The main portion of the stela was lying face down in front of the butt, well preserved but broken into many pieces. Several small fragments were not found.

Material

Limestone.

Shape

Parallel sides. Shape of top unknown.

Dimensions

Carved Areas

Front only.

Photographs

von Euw.

Drawing

von Euw, based on field drawing corrected by artificial light.

Location

On Structure 30, between Stelae 2 and 4. It was removed to the Campeche Museum in 1973.

Condition

The lower fragment was found standing erect in place, but the sculptured surface had been severely burned, and most of the detail has been lost. The rest of the stela was found broken into many pieces (obviously cracked by the heat of the fire to which it had been exposed), but was nevertheless excellently preserved. Several fragments were missing.

Material

Limestone.

Shape

Long thin shaft with parallel sides. Form of top unknown

Dimensions

Carved Areas

Front only.

Photographs

von Euw.

Drawing

von Euw, based on field drawing corrected by artificial light.

Location

It was found lying approximately halfway between Stelae 3 and 5 on Structure 30. Taken to the Campeche Museum in 1973.

Condition

Cracked into many pieces, several of which (including the butt) have been lost. The degree of preservation varies greatly depending on the severity of the exposure to fire.

Material

Limestone.

Shape

Parallel sides, with rounded or triangular top.

Dimensions

Carved Areas

Front only.

Photographs

von Euw.

Drawing

von Euw, based on field drawing corrected by artificial light.

Location

The base of the stela was found in situ approximately aligned with (and between) Stelae 3 and 7 on Structure 30, It was taken to the Campeche Museum in 1973.

Condition

Broken in many pieces. Where the sculptured area was exposed to fire, calcination was extensive; otherwise the preservation was very good. A large portion of the stela was not found.

Material

Limestone

Shape

Parallel sides, with rounded top.

Dimensions

Carved Areas

Front only.

Photographs

von Euw.

Drawing

von Euw, based on field drawing corrected by artificial light.

Location

On the stela platform, Structure 30, It was found lying between Stelae 5 and 7, although not aligned with them; the butt was not buried. In 1973 the stela was removed to the Campeche Museum.

Condition

In two pieces. Slight erosion in the upper one, but considerable loss in detail due to fire in the lower fragment.

Material

Limestone.

Shape

Parallel sides with flattish, rounded top.

Dimensions

Carved Areas

Front only.

Photograph

von Euw.

Drawing

von Euw, based on field drawing corrected by artificial light.

Location

The lower fragment was found standing in place between the bases of Stelae 5 and 8 (although closer to 8) on Structure 30. It was removed with other fragments to the Carnpeche Museum in 1973. The upper fragment is in a private collection in Mexico City.

Condition

Except for the piece in Mexico City, the stela was in a rather friable state because of exposure to fire.

Material

Limestone.

Shape

Long thin shaft with parallel sides and a triangular top.

Dimensions

Carved Areas

Front only.

Photographs

von Euw.

Drawing

von Euw, based on field drawing corrected by artificial light.

Location

Between Stelae 7 and 9 on Structure 30. Removed in 1973 to the Campeche Museum.

Condition

Found in many severely burned pieces; the detail has been almost completely lost by calcination. Several fragments were missing.

Material

Limestone.

Shape

Parallel sides. Form of top unknown

Dimensions

Carved Areas

Front only.

Photographs

von Euw, except upper right fragment of the base which was photographed by Anthony P. Andrews in 1976.

Drawing

von Euw, based on field drawing corrected by artificial light.

Location

The butt of the stela was found in situ 2.5 m east of Stela 8 on Structure 30. The main fragments of Stelae 9 and 10 were found somewhat distant from their bases. Because the dimensions of these fragments are fairly similar and because each one is consistent with the dimensions and carving of the butt of Stela 9, it is unclear which one is in fact a part of this stela and which one is part of Stela 10. With some misgivings, but not without reason (see ITZ: St. 10), the relation of the large fragments to the butts was assumed.

Condition

The main fragment has suffered from erosion and some burning, and the lower fragments have been. badly calcined. Several pieces were not found and are assumed to have been looted or burned beyond recognition.

Material

Limestone.

Shape

Parallel sides with a triangular top.

Dimensions

Carved Areas

Front only.

Photographs

von Euw, except for the small upper left fragment of the base which was photographed by Agustin Pena in 1976.

Drawing

von Euw, based on field drawing corrected by artificial light.

Location

The main fragment was found several meters away from the butt, which was found in situ approximately 3 m east of Stela 9, making it the easternmost surely placed monument on Structure 30. Because of similarities in style it seems probable that the small fragment with the foot carved on it is a part of the same stela as the larger piece. The butt of Stela 9 has carving, while that of Stela 10 shows none and as the "foot" fragment is apparently the lowest piece of a stela, it could be a part of Stela 10 but not of Stela 9.lt was in view of this that the correspondence of the large fragments and the butts was assumed.

Condition

In three pieces, although the butt was not photographed; all fragments have lost details through erosion.

Material

Limestone.

Shape

Parallel sides; shape of top unknown.

Dimensions

Carved Areas

Front only.

Photographs

von Euw.

Drawing

von Euw, based on field drawing corrected by artificial light.

Photo of Itzimte, Stela 11, front, 2004.15.5.8.10

Drawing of Itzimte, Stela 11, front, 2004.15.6.8.10

Location

Easternmost of the monuments on Structure 30. The butt of the stela was no longer set in the ground, and the fragments were found scattered near Stela 10. !twas removed in 1973 to the Campeche Museum.

Condition

As is the case with other sculpture on this stela platform, the condition of this stela varies greatly with the degree of exposure to fire: from a well preserved middle fragment to a badly calcined upper piece. Several small fragments were not found.

Material

Limestone.

Shape

Parallel sides. Form of top unknown.

Dimensions

Carved Areas

Front only.

Photographs

von Euw, except for the small piece on the lower right of the top fragment which was photographed by Norberta Gonzalez Crespo in 1976.

Drawing

von Euw I based on field drawing corrected by artificial light.

Location

It was found lying under a large fragment of Stela 3, Removed to the Campeche Museum in 1973.

Condition

In two pieces, the stela has suffered from erosion and, especially on the sides, from calcination.

Material

Limestone.

Shape

Almost square. An unusually small standing monument.

Dimensions

Carved Areas

Front, sides, and top.

Photographs

von Euw.

Drawings

von Euw, based on field drawings corrected by artificial light.

Location

Found in the debris of Structure 39. Taken in 1973 to the Campeche Museum.

Condition

Found in four pieces. Portions of the front and the underside have been lost. The sculptured surface on the underside is in excellent condition, while the inscription in the front is somewhat eroded.

Material

Limestone.

Shape

Parallel sides with irregular extremes.

Dimensions

Lintel:

Sculptured area (underside):

Carved Areas

Front and underside.

Photographs

von Euw.

Drawings

von Euw, based on field drawings corrected by artificial light.