INAH Denies Actress's Accusation That Americans are Looting Yaxuná

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 information is false.”

“The research work at the site has been authorized by the Archaeology Council, with the approval of the ejido authorities, and is being carried out in accordance with current regulations, with full respect for the heritage,” the publication reads.

The controversy began with a video posted earlier this month by Hernández, in which she claimed Americans were removing archaeological objects from the area around Yaxuná, alternately spelled Yaxunah. According to her allegations, the foreigners pay between 400 and 500 pesos (about $20-25 USD) per day to people from the community to dig holes in the ground and remove objects.

In the video, which refers to “gringos” in the thumbnail, Hernández stated that the Americans are “awakening the Aluxes,” referring to Maya mythological spirits believed to protect sacred places.

The Yaxuná archaeological site holds special significance in Maya history and modern archaeological management. It is the only site open to the public that is not managed by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) of México. This is because the people of Yaxuná chose to manage it themselves, ensuring that the income generated by visitors stays within their community.

Located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the famous Chichén Itzá site, Yaxuná was once connected to the ancient city of Cobá by one of the longest Maya roads, or sacbé, stretching approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles). Archaeological evidence suggests the site was first inhabited around 750-500 BCE and played an important role in regional politics throughout Maya history.

The site’s community-managed approach represents a unique model in Mexican archaeology. The excavations and restorations at the site were carried out by foreign universities and institutions, and it is the local Yaxuná people who maintain the site, keeping it clean and suitable for visits.

Looting is an ongoing problem

Archaeological looting remains a persistent problem across Mexico’s numerous ancient sites. The sacking of archaeological artifacts is fairly commonplace in Yucatán. In recent years, INAH has documented theft of carved stones from sites like Dzilam González, where witnesses reported men in pickup trucks removing artifacts during daylight hours.

The Mexican government has strengthened efforts to combat archaeological trafficking. Mexican legislation strictly regulates the protection and conservation of the nation’s heritage and categorically prohibits the export of archaeological objects. INAH works with international partners to recover stolen artifacts, as demonstrated by the recent return of a Maya skull carving from Germany.

The agency manages over 160 museums nationwide and oversees archaeological sites throughout Mexico. INAH and the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL) are tasked with cataloging and protecting monuments and buildings regarded as cultural patrimony.

Yaxuná’s structures include pyramids, a grand ball court, and an observatory. The site demonstrates the sophisticated astronomical knowledge of the Maya, as the sacbé connecting it to Cobá is believed to have been built around 600 CE during a period of alliance between the two cities.

The current dispute highlights ongoing tensions between archaeological preservation and community tourism development in Mexico’s Maya region.

Community tourism projects at Yaxuná include bicycle rentals, cenote visits, and traditional cochinita pibil cooking workshops, providing economic opportunities for local residents while preserving their cultural heritage.