Friday, September 12, 2025

Graffiti and garbage mark some of Mexico’s forgotten archaeological sites

Some of Mexico’s archaeological sites are littered with garbage, defaced with graffiti and in various states of deterioration, which probably explains in part why they see few visitors.

The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), which has 171 sites in its care, has reported that four significant sites received no visitors last year and that 16 others saw fewer than 1,000.

For the fourth year in a row, Cuauhtochco in Veracruz, a thriving city 1,400 years ago, received no visitors. Ocoyoacac in México state, an important ceremonial center between the years 450 and 650 AD, was similarly unpopular last year.

Teopanzolco in Morelos, a site with a large pyramid topped with a temple dedicated to Tláloc and Huitzilopochtli, the Mexica gods of rain and war respectively, remained closed to the public in 2018 because of damage sustained to the site during the September 2017 earthquake and the discovery of a new temple.

Chiapa de Corzo in Chiapas, a site with structures from several pre-Columbian cultures dating as far back as 750 BC, including temples, terraces and what archaeologists think might be Mesoamerica’s oldest tomb, also went unvisited in 2018.

Lack of personnel may be the reason for many sites being virtually abandoned, suggested a report in the newspaper El Universal.

INAH director Diego Prieto acknowledged last month that the institute, rather than creating new jobs, has terminated 850 positions in the last 15 years.

Source: El Universal (sp)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
presdent sheinbaum in Sept 2025

Sheinbaum on the defense after China charges Mexico with enacting tariffs under US coercion

4
While rejecting any "appeasement ... toward unilateral bullying” (a clear reference to Trump), the president indicated a willingness to negotiate.
A map of mexico showing clouds off the southwest coast and a circle indicating the location of Tropical Storm Mario

Tropical Storm Mario brings wind, rain and heavy waves to southwest Mexico

0
Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán and Guerrero can expect heavy rain and wind thanks to this "mini" tropical storm.
gas tanker after explosion

Horrific gas tanker explosion in Mexico City claims 8 lives, injures 90

3
The accident occurred on a busy highway in the Iztapalapa borough of Mexico City when a gas tanker crashed and exploded, sending out huge flames that engulfed dozens of vehicles.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity