An archaeological site of the Maya culture; Xtogil’s ancient past is known to few, even though one of its cenotes has become a modest tourist attraction due to its proximity to Chichén Itzá. Today, Xtogil is covered in vegetation and remains virtually untouched by archaeologists, except for a research project that uncovered a dozen burials,…
Because Chichén Itzá is so full of amazing structures, and the fact that most tourists to the site only explore its central core, temples like El Osario (The Ossuary) often don’t get much attention. The most obvious observation often made about El Osario is that it bears a resemblance to the Temple of Kukulkán, though…
Archaeologists working on the Maya Train project have discovered a limestone Maya sculpture that could be up to 4,000 years old in Sierra Papacal, just north of Mérida. The carved stone face, depicting an elderly Maya lord, was found by archaeologist Manuel Pérez Rivas and his team from the National Institute of Anthropology and History…
One of the most immediately identifiable features of Maya architecture is the corbel arch. Corbel arches are not exclusive to the Maya or even to Mesoamerica; they can also be found in regions such as Southeast Asia and the Hellenistic world. But without a doubt, it was the Maya who pushed this architectural form to…
In the outskirts of Oaxaca’s capital city, lies San José del Mogote, an archaeological site that challenges just about everything we think we know about Mesoamerica. A contemporary of the ancient Olmecs, this Zapotec ceremonial center was founded around 1500 BCE and is remarkable not only for its antiquity but for its role as a…
INAH has installed a new wooden stairway to conserve Cobá’s largest structure while still allowing visitors to climb the ancient temple known as the Nohoch Mul. “The installation of the wooden stairway at Cobá is part of a project to improve the site’s infrastructure while maintaining its ancient heritage,” said a press statement released by…
Located near the north of Mérida’s Municipal limits, Dzibilchaltún is best known for its famous Temple of the Seven Dolls, to the point that this structure and the site have almost become synonymous. But Dzibilchaltún is full of other archaeological gems, which tell a story that began roughly 300 v years ago and continues to…
Colima’s culture thrived in what today is the Mexican state of the same name, and its surrounding territories, and is known almost exclusively for one thing: their adorable ceramic effigies of hairless dogs. But from thriving cities to other types of artistic expression, there is much more to these ancient people. This region is characterized…
The Edzná archaeological site’s old museum was little more than a palapa tightly packed with stelae. It had its charm, but it lacked much in the way of actual museography. Over the summer, INAH opened a new and much-improved museum and visitor center at Edzná. The only downside to this trend towards more sophisticated onsite…
With its soaring pyramids, empires, and grand stone cities, Mesoamerica commands the spotlight when it comes to ancient North America. Yet, further north still, cradled within a vast and arid landscape, another complex world flourished: Oasisamerica. This cultural superarea, straddling the modern border between the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, was not a monolithic…
The ruins of the ancient city of Teotihuacán are among the largest and most impressive in the world. But like at most major sites, visitors limit themselves to checking out the highlights or sprinting for that iconic selfie. If you are reading this, chances are you are already well aware of the Pyramid of the…
In the delegación (borough) of Xochimilco at the southern point of Mexico City, is Cuahilama, a steep and all too often overlooked hill that holds some of the greatest symbols of power in Mesoamerica. Xochimilco is of course, first and foremost known for its colorful trajineras, flat-bottom boats that take visitors on tours of what…
Within Chichén Itzá, the Cenote Sagrado (Sacred Cenote) stands as one of Mesoamerica’s most enigmatic and revered natural wonders. Unlike most other cenotes, this vast, water-filled sinkhole was not used as a water source — it was a sacred portal to Xibalba, the Maya underworld, and a focal point of ritual offerings and ceremonies. This…
Meaning “place of reeds” in Yucatec Maya, Aké Yucatan is 32 kilometers / 20 miles from Mérida in the municipality of Tixkokob. Just a few years ago, the dirt road and overgrown vegetation leading to Aké made the trek rough for most vehicles and their paint jobs. Thankfully, there is now a proper road, and…
Recent excavations and conservation efforts at Ek Balam (from the Yucatec-Maya Jaguar Star) have brought renewed attention to several of its most impressive structures. These include the ancient city’s main ballcourt complex, the so-called twin houses, a series of recently restored structures along jungle paths, and its towering Acropolis, featuring the breathtaking stucco artworks that…
Visitors to museums in the Maya world often find themselves drawn to strange, intricately flaked stone artifacts known as Maya Eccentrics. These small, meticulously crafted, and shaped into twisting serpents, crouching deities, and abstract geometric forms, were not ordinary tools made of obsidian, chert, or jade. Instead, they are believed to be sacred instruments of…
Xcaret, the privately operated theme park near Playa del Carmen, has recently made significant investments in the Maya archaeological monuments on its grounds. While Xcaret markets itself as an immersive experience into Maya heritage, the site—originally the ancient port city of Polé — has undergone extensive reconstruction over the years. Aside from being beautiful, the…
Beyond the areas where most tourists venture in Chichén Itzá, lies a lesser-known but fascinating architectural complex dedicated to the ruler: K’inich Janaab’ Pakal. No, not the legendary Pakal the Great of Palenque — this is a different king whose legacy is etched into the red-painted walls of the enigmatic Casa Colorada. This structure, also…
Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History has rejected claims that foreigners are looting Yaxuná. The denial comes after actress Maricruz Hernández Sosa posted a video on social media alleging Americans were paying locals to dig up artifacts. The INAH posted on social media that “after verifying directly with the community, it is confirmed that…
The Maya civilization, renowned for its sophisticated understanding of astronomy, developed a precise system of celestial observation that deeply influenced their cosmology, religion, and daily life. Building upon the astronomical foundations laid by the Olmec, the Maya refined and expanded this knowledge, creating one of the most precise calendar systems in the ancient world. Their…
The multi-generational conflict between the Mayan cities of Tikal and Calakmul, referred to as the “Star Wars,” was a series of intense political and military struggles during the later centuries of the Classic Period (250–900 CE). These wars were not just between Calakmul and Tikal but involved a network of alliances and proxy conflicts with…
A visitor suffered serious injuries after falling on the main pyramid at the Ek Balam archaeological site in eastern Yucatán, one of the few remaining ancient Maya sites where climbing is still permitted. The accident occurred as the tourist attempted to navigate its steep stone steps. Witnesses said the tourist, whose identity has not been…
Xcunyá is a community of roughly 1,000 people, though this is likely to change as developers have begun marketing the community for both residential and commercial use.
The Mexican state of Yucatán is home to some of the most famous and most visited Mayan archaeological sites in Mesoamerica. But aside from the perpetually tourist-packed Chichén Itzá or the grand capital of the Puuc, Uxmal, dozens of lesser-visited sites offer a more off-the-beaten-path experience ideal for travelers keen on adventure. Chacmultún Meaning “red…
That’s all for now
That’s all for now