Mexico has uncovered “the greatest archaeological treasure” of the last few decades, according to the head of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), the archaeologist Diego Prieto Hernández.
During the three years of construction on the newly opened Maya Train that runs through the southern states of Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo, numerous valuable discoveries have been made.
Important findings include a solar disk near Chichén Itzá, a sculpture of a corn god in Palenque, a dual Maya stela in Uxmal, the bas-reliefs of a captive taken by a dignitary in Ek Balam, funerary urns, a wealth of potsherds and other significant artifacts.
In a statement, the INAH said that 2023 was particularly “abundant in archaeological discoveries in the Mexican Maya region,” as it performed rescue work in 29 archaeological sites in the path of the Maya Train.
These discoveries have helped archaeologists recover “valuable information and materials that can contribute to a better understanding of the great Maya civilization, its various eras, cultural regions, and artistic and urban expressions,” the archaeologist added.
According to Prieto, the archaeological rescue work associated with the Maya Train has yielded more than 1.4 million ceramic fragments and over 50,000 movable and immovable objects, which include palaces and architectural structures.
He emphasized the significance of certain objects, such as the tomb of Pakal located in Chiapas, and an arrowhead that serves as evidence of an ancient cultural presence in the region.
He also highlighted the recently rediscovered city of Ichkabal, set to open to visitors in August.
These findings offer new information suggesting population density in Mesoamerica was higher than previous estimates, particularly in the north of Chiapas, the Tabasco jungle, the south of Campeche and the Yucatán Peninsula. The discoveries have also shed light on the intricate urban communication and trade systems that flourished in the region of Maya influence, spanning across Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador.
Prieto told local media that the found artifacts will aid the INAH in piecing together the social structures and beliefs of the ancient Maya, and have the potential to provide new insights into the history of an Indigenous civilization that has survived to this day.
This “unprecedented discovery,” as the INAH describes it, is only the beginning of a “comprehensive research and restoration process aimed at reclaiming Maya history,” Prieto said, noting the importance of preserving the archaeological materials and sites “for the benefit of future generations.”
The artifacts unearthed during the construction of the Maya Train will be exhibited at the Puuc, Dzibilchaltún and Chichén Itzá Archaeological Museums, as well as at the reimagined History of the Maya People Museum in Mérida, which is to be completed in the coming months.
This article is very vague about the findings, I hope you have future articles with more specific details !
Yes and with pictures please.
The lack of detail isn’t an accident here.
The lack of detail isn’t an accident here. INAH has always been & continues to be corrupt to the core. Their chronic lack of transparency has never been for the “protection of cultural resources”.
It’s a cynical ruse used for the cold & calculated collection, assessment & sale to highest bidder (private collector or museum etc.).
And when the greedy & well connected finally offer enough bribe money for the so-called “economic development” along the routes, nothing will stop them building a PEMEX station or McDonald’s on top of archeological sites that have already been looted by INAH.
Nothing to see here folks!
Regarding the Tren Maya: With only a fraction of the proposed route now open, $20 BILLION over budget & falling farther and farther behind schedule, I sure hope that someone, somewhere will be asking about the why, how & Who’s responsible.
BUT….. will it make any difference?
What is the impact on Yucatan’s sprawling aquifer expected to be? I fear it will be contaminated, which would be a disaster ecologically as well as economically. All those beautiful cenotes are connected underground, so if you pollute one, you pollute them all. Undoubtedly the Maya train will encourage tourism, but if the cenotes are made unfit for swimming in the process, then you might lose as many tourists as you’ve gained. Also, I believe the train will have a huge negative impact on wildlife and biodiversity. In short, the train offers short-term benefits, particularly in creating jobs for local people, but its long-term effects, I fear, will be very detrimental.
This is AMLO and Morena corrupt government party to make look nice the ecocide they made with this Maya train. Non of those such discoveries were shown anywhere.
No mention of Paamul II, hundreds of buildings, thousands of artifacts, large pyramid. Shame to see this just airbrushed away 🙁 zero pictures because it would expose the centotes filled, the caves destroyed and the aquifer damaged, let alone the jungle and its inhabitants like large cats totally displaced. Horrible
TO A LOT OF COMMENTATORS IN THIS NEWSPAPER, WHY ARE YOU ALL SO N E G A T I V E??
Really, give these people a chance to do it their way. We are grateful this is not being done the way the Americans and Canadians might attempt to revive, explain and celebrate their heritage.
Would you prefer the woke cancel culture? It really does not impress me.
Uh, Alex, we’re negative because climate change and habitat destruction are real! It’s not that we don’t want Mexico to do it its own way; there are many, many Mexicans that are worried about the train’s long-term effects, too., and AMLO has basically ignored them and the many studies showing the folly of his train. Plus, we environmentalists are globalists, not nationalists. We speak out about habitat destruction, air & water pollution, and loss of biodiversity wherever they occur. However, I suppose it would be easier to bury our heads in the sand and not be so “negative,” as you suggest.