Oxmul’s Survival Hangs in the Balance as Housing Developments Spring Up Around It

The archaeological site of Oxmul is known to very few, but within its necropolis and temples lie keys to a better understanding of the past of what is today Mérida. 

As anyone who follows this weekly column is well aware, Mérida is overflowing with archaeological sites, most of which are known to just a handful of people. 

The site, today known as Oxmul, save for one section, sits in hard-to-reach fields just outside the rapidly expanding Fraccionamiento Los Heroes suburb in Mérida’s Sitpach region, far to the east.

One of the main reasons Oxmul has survived as well as it has is that Los Heroes only began expanding relatively recently, when archaeologists and enthusiasts had a chance to document its existence before it could be paved over. Yet, as always, this remains a danger.

Excavations at Los Heroes began in 2014 and uncovered 725 structures, including pyramids, artificial platforms, residential areas, and burials.

The remains of pyramids at Oxmul range from six to 10 meters in height, but were certainly considerably larger, as they have eroded over the centuries and been plundered. 

Large amounts of ceramic vessels, stone tools, and other objects were also discovered, which, combined with the amount of architecture, suggest that Oxmul was likely an important satellite of Jo’, the city-state that thrived during the classic period in what today is downtown Mérida. 

Like most satellite settlements, Oxmul was primarily an agricultural center. These satellite settlements would harvest cropssuch asg maize, beans, chilies, and squash to feed themselves and pay taxes in kind to their mother city. 

But just because a settlement began its existence as a satellite of another, more powerful city, it would, on occasion, grow in wealth and power, surpassing its mother city. This, for example, is the case of the formidable Calakmul, which began as a satellite outpost of Dzibanché and later far eclipsed it. 

In the case of Oxumul, its sheer size suggests it may have undergone a similar transition, though on a smaller, more discrete scale, towards the end of the Post-Classic period. 

This idea is supported by the presence of fine ceramics likely imported from the Petén region, as well as tools made of materials such as obsidian, which were also imported from the highlands of Guatemala or Central Mexico, among the artifacts found at the site. 

The only section of Oxmul that can be easily visited is within a reserve called “Parque de las Tarantulas.” Within this park, it’s possible to observe the remains of two badly eroded pyramids, which have also been stripped of most of their carved stones for construction elsewhere—a pattern all too common in Mesoamerica.  

This section of Oxmul is nevertheless quite interesting and also shows evidence of having been built on an artificial platform. The area likely served as a civic-religious center. This assessment is based on its size and location relative to other archaeological nuclei.

A few hundred meters away (about half a mile), other groups emerge, including Polok Ceh, Cuzam, and Chan Much. 

Oxmul’s Extensive Burials and Epigraphic Evidence

The most notable finds at Oxmul — the discrete complex, not the site as a whole — include a funerary complex containing approximately 75 burials. These remains, found in cists and urns, corresponded to individuals of various ages and both sexes and were often accompanied by offerings. 

The burials include a significant number of infants and ancestors in funerary urns. In one structure, Number 317, a particularly important burial was found, believed to be that of a possible ruler. Crucially, this ceramic vessel bears surviving hieroglyphs believed to belong to this individual. The relevant text reads as “this cup belongs to Ukok Bet´, Lord Kúhmun”.

In light of this, researchers, including yours truly, believe that Oxmul should be recristened Kúhmun, but this is not yet the consensus. 

Elite Residential Complex

Oxmul is also home to an elite residential complex known as Polok Keej, where local rulers would reside, or at least maintain a base to keep tabs on agricultural production, which, at the end of the day, was the rulers’ most important job. 

Because of looting and damage to this section of the site, and the lack of restoration efforts, it is difficult to ascertain the specific architectural features of this complex beyond its elevated artificial platforms. However, based on evidence from other similar sites, these artificial platforms likely feature at least two constructions with decorative elements, perhaps Puuc cylinders, a thatch roof, and a detached kitchen. 

Threats to Oxmul

Though Oxmul is on federal land, the expansion of the Los Herroes suburb fraccionamiento is concerning. This is especially true as INAH’s resources are spread tremendously thin, and land sales on behalf of the federal government, with or without archaeological monuments, are not exactly a rarity. 

Despite their proximity, reaching most of the monuments at Oxmul is very difficult, which, at this point, is perhaps for the best. The best-case scenario would be that Oxmul be transformed into an Eco-Archaeological reserve, much like Yaaxtal. One dares to dream.