4,000-Year-Old Maya Sculpture Unearthed North of Mérida

INAH reveals discoveries in Sierra Papacal, during the salvage works on the Mérida-Progreso section of the Maya Train

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 during salvage excavations along the rail line between Mérida and Progreso.

The sculpture shows deep eye sockets, a flat nose, and pronounced lips. These features symbolized respect and wisdom in Prehispanic Maya cosmology. The piece measures about 18 inches (45 centimeters) tall and was positioned at the entrance to what appears to have been a ceremonial structure.

“The sculpture was located at the entrance of a building, probably used for gatherings or ceremonies,” Pérez Rivas said. “Its placement suggests it functioned as a marker or welcoming figure in a ritual space.”

The face was attached to the north side of an oval-shaped building measuring roughly 19 by 14 feet (5.8 by 4.3 meters) with double limestone walls. The structure’s entrance, about 31 inches (80 centimeters) wide, faces west toward the sunlight and is flanked by large rocks serving as door jambs.

Preliminary analysis dates the building to the Preclassic period, which lasted from 2500 BC to 200 AD. This era saw the emergence of many distinctive elements of Mesoamerican civilization, including ceremonial architecture, writing systems, and complex social hierarchies. The northern Yucatán lowlands were widely settled during this time, with communities establishing the foundations of what would become Classic Maya civilization.

The structure was not residential. Evidence points to ritual or community functions, with multiple construction phases indicating prolonged use of the site. Excavations also revealed a plaza measuring 43 by 26 feet (13 by 8 meters) with charcoal remains from an ancient hearth, further supporting ceremonial use.

At least 15 additional structures were identified within 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) of the find, near the registered archaeological sites Papacal 1 and San Francisco 1.

The Maya Train project has led to thousands of archaeological discoveries across southeastern Mexico. Since construction began, specialists have documented more than 25,000 archaeological features along the route, including structures, ancient roads, ceramic vessels, and human remains. These findings have provided researchers with unprecedented data about Maya settlement patterns and daily life.

While the train project aims to boost tourism and economic development in the region, it has also faced criticism from environmental groups and some archaeologists concerned about potential damage to archaeological sites and ecosystems. Construction work frequently requires rapid salvage operations to document and protect discoveries before they can be disturbed.

The artifacts and data recovered during Maya Train construction are being cataloged for future research and public display. Several museums across the peninsula, including a new facility in Mérida’s historic center, will showcase these finds.

The Sierra Papacal sculpture offers a rare glimpse into the Preclassic period in northern Yucatán, a time when Maya communities were transitioning from simple agricultural villages to more complex societies with specialized religious and political structures. According to the Smithsonian, the Maya Train archaeological surveys have dramatically expanded knowledge about this formative era.

The discovery adds to growing evidence that the area around Mérida was home to thriving Maya communities far earlier than previously documented.

Fast Facts: Sierra Papacal Discovery

• Location: Sierra Papacal ejido, north of Mérida
• Age: Up to 4,000 years old (Preclassic period, 2500 BC-200 AD)
• Material: Carved limestone
• Size: Approximately 18 inches (45 cm) tall
• Context: Ceremonial structure with oval floor plan
• Nearby sites: 15 additional structures within 1.2 miles (2 km)
• Project: Maya Train salvage archaeology, Mérida-Progreso rail line