Video: Exploring the urban ruins of Dzoyilá in Mérida
INAH Yucatán Archaeologist Eunice Uc González knows about the scientific and social importance of the archaeological site known as Dzoyilá Granjas.
Despite being on private property, the site is of historical and cultural importance, and efforts to protect it have involved both researchers and the local community.
Eunice recounts that the first stage of work in Dzoyilá Granjas focused on the Salvador Alvarado South neighborhood, where an ancient stone platform was uncovered. As the roads and streets were constructed, more large Maya structures were found and protected for future excavation.
Dzoyilá Granjas is one of 20 urban archaeological sites in the area, but what makes it significant is its connection to the ancient Itzá civilization. Early records, such as the Chilam Balam of Chumayel, mention Dzoyilá as a place where the Itzá settled before establishing themselves in Chichén Itzá. The Itzá people, originally from an area between present-day Guatemala and Tabasco, traveled through Yucatán, leaving traces of their presence in sites like Dzoyilá.
Eunice and her team discovered substructures beneath the housing platform, revealing that the site had layers of construction over centuries. The altars found during excavation, carefully preserved by the Maya, indicated that Dzoyilá had been a significant place since the Preclassic period, dating as far back as 800 BC. The Maya who lived there built intricate structures and coexisted with the migrating Itzá people, who established new settlements in the region.
One notable feature of the site is the cenote platform, located above a natural sinkhole filled with water known as the Cenote of Dzoyilá. The cenote played a crucial role in the people’s daily lives, providing water and serving as a gathering place for activities such as grinding grains, evidenced by the metates (stone tools for grinding) found around the platform. The name “Dzoyilá” itself is significant, as it translates in the Mayan-Yucatec language to “the place where turkeys drink water.”
Another fascinating discovery is the “Chichi House,” a structure associated with the cenote platform. This building featured a stone sculpture of an elderly woman, which led Eunice and her team to believe it was a house reserved for older people. The house had two entrances and probably had roofs made of perishable materials. Two burials were found nearby, though the individuals were not elderly. Despite these discoveries, much of Dzoyilá Granjas remains on private property, complicating preservation efforts.
Eunice emphasizes the long-standing collaboration between the archaeological community and the residents of the surrounding subdivision. For over 30 years, locals have been involved in protecting the site. Eunice recalls specific moments when community members, such as María Elena, stood up against developers attempting to build on the land. At one point, construction was halted by locals who physically blocked machinery and called in archaeologists like Eunice to inspect the site.
Eunice feels a deep connection between her work and the community, which has actively participated in the preservation of Dzoyilá Granjas. She mentions planting more than 100 trees with the help of schoolchildren and coordinating with local authorities and the Department of Sustainable Development to create a green space around the site. This partnership between the National Institute of Anthropology and History, local residents, and the government has helped protect and restore the ancient structures over time.
Despite the challenges of working on private land, Eunice remains hopeful that further collaboration will allow for more of the site to be preserved for future generations. The efforts of the community and researchers have paid off, with parts of Dzoyilá Granjas already protected, but more work remains to be done.
Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican expedition/Canadian photographer and adventure leader. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds multimedia, philosophy, and translation degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada and Norway.