Scientists study many ancient civilizations, while an ordinary tourist can just hear the Aztecs, Incas, or Maya and immediately go on a trip to the places of the glory of ancient tribes. To get acquainted with the Mayan culture, you need to go to Guatemala. This is where the capital of their empire was located. Today you can see huge ancient cities with mysterious pyramids there. Millions of tourists visit these places every year, climb up the steps of the famous pyramids, descend into religious buildings and try to hear the whisper of centuries-old stones. Surrounded by hundreds of other travelers, you are unlikely to hear anything unless you go to a less popular destination. The ruins of the archaeological site of the ancient civilization of Mixco Viejo near the city of Chimaltenango can tell many stories to those who are willing to listen to them and do not chase the big names in history.

Mixco Viejo is an ancient city of the medium size of the Postclassic period of the Maya civilization. Its ruins are well preserved. As you get closer to them you can see how picturesque the landscape is changing, moving from the pine forests to the arid areas of the valley. According to some studies, the city of Mixco Viejo was the capital of the Poqomam kingdom. Its descendants still preserve pre-Christian cults and perform witchcraft rites. Other sources claim that this was a fortification of the Kaqchikel kingdom, whose ancestors were the famous Toltecs. There is no consensus on this issue, except that the city was founded in the 12th century as a fortification. Most of it was found and restored by the French expedition of the Paris Museum, led by the famous archaeologist Henri Lehmann.

On the territory of the ancient city, there is a museum where you can see valuable historical exhibits found during excavations in the middle of the 20th century. 52 burial urns made of ceramics and decorated with red and white ornaments are of particular interest.