Pixoy
Location and Access
Pixoy is located on a hilltop 19.5 km southeast of Bolonchen, Campeche. It is possible to drive to within approximately 1 km of the site. One must first drive south from the town on the Bolonchen-Hopelchen highway for 8 km, then turn south into a dirt road, which one soon leaves to take the road to the ranch of Don Octavio Ramirez (Rancho el Recreo). Continuing in a generally southeasterly direction for about 6.5 km, one reaches an extensive savanna (in which many pixoy trees are growing), and then proceeds along hilly terrain for 2 km until coming to an aguada-the aguada Pixoy or Pixoy Akal. This is a very unreliable source of water, and it was completely dry during my visit to the site (Don Octavio, who has an apiary nearby, supplied us with several drums of water for our stay). From the aguada, Pixoy is reached by walking uphill due east for about 1 km. The ruins are located in land belonging to the Ejido de Bolonchen.
Principal Investigations at the Site
The site had been visited previously only by looters, who left many holes and sherds in their wake. The register of the sculpture and the map were produced during two visits totaling 11 days in 1973. In 1974 a brief visit to the site was made by E. Wyllys Andrews V, of Tulane University.
Notes on the Ruins
The exact orientation of the stelae (except Stela 4) is unknown, as they were apparently moved during the looting. It seems reasonable, however, that they were originally placed near Structure 18.
Pixoy is a small site with only two structures higher than 10 m. Structure 1 is the highest at the site (12 m), but the two-storied Structure 4 seems to have been the most important. The lower level is formed by three rows of rooms, the front two generally connected (except when directly below or adjacent to the staircase). Only the rooms on the east and west extremes are oriented in a north-south direction. The second story has almost completely collapsed.
The entrance to Structure 22 has a well preserved stone mask above the lintel. This mask has several portions covered by stucco and red paint. Red paint can also be found clinging to parts of a mat design carved on a column altar between Structures 11 and 12.
On a capstone in Structure 15 (PIX: Msc. 1) there are traces of painted glyphs, but unfortunately most of the surface has been lost to erosion.
A portion of a carved figure in very deep relief was found in front of Structure 1. Unfortunately only the mid-section of the figure was found (showing the belt with hanging heads and shells, and the remains of the lower arm).
Register of Inscriptions at Pixoy
Stelae 1 to 5
Miscellaneous 1
Site Volume Reference
|
SITE
|
VOL/Part
|
Monument
|
Side
|
Page
|
Pub.year
|
Notes
|
Peabody Number
|
|
PIXOY
|
4.1
|
Map
|
|
33
|
|
|
|
|
PIXOY
|
4.1
|
Stela 1
|
front
|
35
|
1977
|
|
2004.15.6.8.15
|
|
PIXOY
|
4.1
|
Stela 2
|
front
|
37
|
1977
|
2 pieces
|
2004.15.6.8.16
|
|
PIXOY
|
4.1
|
Stela 3
|
front
|
39
|
1977
|
|
2004.15.6.8.17
|
|
PIXOY
|
4.1
|
Stela 4
|
front
|
41
|
1977
|
|
2004.15.6.8.18
|
|
PIXOY
|
4.1
|
Stela 5
|
front
|
43
|
1977
|
|
2004.15.6.8.19
|
Author Reference
| SITE (by Vol) | VOL/Part | Author(s) |
| PIXOY | 4.1 | Eric von Euw, Vol. 4.1, 1977 |
Inscriptions at Pixoy
Stela 1
Left: Drawing of Pixoy, Stela 1, front, 2004.15.6.8.15.
Right: Photo of Pixoy, Stela 1, front, 2004.15.5.8.17.
Location
The three fragments of the stela were found scattered near the southeastern corner of Structure 1.
Condition
The stela is broken into three large pieces, all of which are somewhat weathered. It is, nevertheless, the best preserved stela at the site.
Material
Limestone.
Shape
Parallel sides tapering asymmetrically to a rounded top.
Dimensions
| HLC | 2.47m |
| PB | 0.57m |
| MW | 0.90m |
| WBC | 0.90m |
| MTh | 0.33m |
| ReI | 2.3cm |
Carved areas
Front only.
Photographs
von Euw.
Drawing
von Euw, based on field drawing corrected by artificial light.
Stela 2
Left: Drawing of Pixoy, Stela 2, front, 2004.15.6.8.16
Right: Photo of Pixoy, Stela 2, front, 2004.15.5.8.18
Location
Found scattered in several pieces near the southeastern corner of Structure 1. Original orientation unknown.
Condition
In three fragments, all very eroded.
Material
Limestone.
Shape
Parallel sides with an asymmetrically rounded top.
Dimensions
| HLC | 2.50m |
| PB | 0.76m |
| MW | 0.90m |
| WBC | 0.85m |
| MTh | 0.36m |
| ReI | 0.8m |
Carved Areas
Front only.
Photographs
von Euw.
Drawing
von Euw, based on field drawing corrected by artificial light.
Stela 3
Left: Drawing of Pixoy, Stela 3, front, 2004.15.6.8.17
Right: Photo of Pixoy, Stela 3, front, 2004.15.5.8.19
Location
Found lying face up near Stela 4, between Structures 1 and 18, though somewhat closer to the latter.
Condition
Only one fragment was found and it is in very poor condition. The top half of the stela is missing.
Material
Limestone.
Shape
The width increases from bottom to top. The carved surface is slightly convex.
Dimensions
| HLC | 1.30m |
| PB | 0.23 |
| MW | 1.10m |
| WBC | Unknown |
| MTh | 0.38m |
| ReI | 1.1cm |
Carved Areas
Front only.
Photograph
von Euw.
Drawing
von Euw, based on field drawing corrected by artificial light.
Stela 4
Left: Drawing of Pixoy, Stela 4, front, 2004.15.6.8.18
Right: Photo of Pixoy, Stela 4, front, 2004.15.5.8.20
Location
The butt of the stela was found in situ in front of Structure 18 (the only monument found in place), with the bottom fragment lying face up nearby. The top fragment had fallen or was thrown into a hole about 2 m deep from where it was lifted with considerable difficulty.
Condition
All three fragments are in rather eroded condition, and pieces are obviously missing.
Material
Limestone.
Shape
Generally parallel sides topped off by an irregularly rounded top.
Dimensions
| HLC | 2.75m |
| PB | unknown |
| MW | 1.01m |
| WBC | 1.00m |
| MTh | 0.30m |
| ReI | 3.0cm |
Carved areas
Front only.
Photographs
von Euw.
Drawing
von Euw, based on field drawing corrected by artificial light.
Stela 5
Left: Drawing of Pixoy, Stela 5, front, 2004.15.6.8.19
Right: Photo of Pixoy, Stela 5, front, 2004.15.5.8.21
Location
Found scattered east of Stela 4, near Structure 18. It had apparently been moved from its original placement by looters.
Condition
The stela was found in what seemed to be two large pieces, but the condition of the stone was quite friable and several fragments came loose with handling.
Material
Limestone.
Photographs
von Euw.
Shape
Parallel sides. Form of top unknown.
Dimensions
| HLC | 2.06m |
| PB | 0.21m |
| MW | 0.64m |
| WBC | Unknown |
| MTh | 0.24m |
| ReI | 1.2cm |
Drawing
von Euw, based on field drawing corrected by artificial light.
Carved areas
Front only.
Miscellaneous 1
Photo of Pixoy, Miscellaneous 1, underside, 2004.15.5.8.22
Location
Structure 15 is almost completely collapsed, but the capstone (Miscellaneous 1) is still visible in it.
Condition
Only faint traces of the glyphs remain.
Material
Red paint on plaster-covered limestone.
Dimensions
H 0.59 m (Exposed area only. The capstone is embedded in mortar for about 0.30 m on each end.)
MW 0.43 m
Mth 0.28 m
Painted Areas
Underside only.
Photograph
E. Wyllys Andrews V.