Iximche

Article summary

in the Postclassic Period Iximcheʼ ( ) (or Iximché using Spanish orthography) is a Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican archaeological site in the western highlands of Guatemala. Iximche was the capital of the Late Postclassic Kaqchikel Maya kingdom from 1470 until its abandonment in 1524. The architecture of the site included a number of pyramid-temples, palaces and two Mesoamerican ballcourts. Excavators uncovered the poorly preserved remains of painted murals on some of the buildings and ample evidence of human sacrifice. The ruins of Iximche were declared a Guatemalan National Monument in the 1960s. The site has a small museum displaying a number of pieces found there, including sculptures and ceramics. It is open daily. For many years the Kaqchikel served as loyal allies of the Kʼicheʼ Maya. The growing power of the Kaqchikel within the alliance eventually caused such friction that the Kaqchikel were forced to flee the Kʼicheʼ capital and founded the city of Iximche. The Kaqchikel established their new capital upon an easily defensible ridge almost surrounded by deep ravines. Iximche developed quickly as a city and within 50 years of its foundation it had reached its maximum extent. The rulers of Iximche were four principal lords drawn from the four main clans of the Kaqchikel, although it was the lords of the Sotzʼil and Xahil clans who held the real power.…

Key claims

1. date of death: 1488 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
2. date of death: 1508-07-23 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
3. date of death: 1509-02-04 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
4. date of foundation: 1527 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
5. publication date: 1834 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
6. publication date: 1948 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
7. publication date: 1959 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
8. publication date: 2003 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
9. publication date: 1963 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
2. The record states that the date of death is "1488". What evidence would count against this claim?
3. The record states that the date of death is "1508-07-23". What evidence would count against this claim?
4. The record states that the date of death is "1509-02-04". What evidence would count against this claim?
5. The record states that the date of foundation is "1527". What evidence would count against this claim?
6. The record states that the publication date is "1834". What evidence would count against this claim?
7. The record states that the publication date is "1948". What evidence would count against this claim?
8. The record states that the publication date is "1959". What evidence would count against this claim?
9. The record states that the publication date is "2003". What evidence would count against this claim?
10. The record states that the publication date is "1963". What evidence would count against this claim?
11. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
12. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1367706537