A new Eco-archaeological Corridor will enable four new zones and will rescue more than 10,000 archaeological records in section 5 of the Mayan Train.
The idea of investigating 10,000 archaeological records in the Yucatan Peninsula makes every professional and amateur archaeologist happy. It is a research expedition that lasts many years. In addition, according to the words of Diego Prieto, head of the INAH, this does not exclude the possibility of a continuity program for other areas.
With this in mind, additional resources will be sought for other sites, since it is an area where “there are thousands and thousands of archaeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula and, in general, in the Mexican Mayan area, we have information that , I insist, tells us in this whole area of more than 10 thousand archaeological records, which are now increasing with studies and archaeological rescue tasks”.
This information was given in the weekly progress report of the Mayan Train presented in “the morning” at the National Palace, where federal officials and representatives of construction companies released details of section 5, which goes from Playa del Carmen to Tulum.
This section contemplates the construction of two train stations, and work is being done to improve the archaeological sites of Muyil and Tulum, as well as the rescue and conservation of four new areas: Cueva Garra del Jaguar, Cueva de las Manitas (with cave paintings ), Ocho Balas cave, and Paamul II.
In addition, this area made it possible to build kilometers of elevated viaduct in such a way that it was possible to protect the karstic soil, cenotes, caverns, and underground rivers in the area, according to Javier May, general director of the National Fund for Tourism Promotion.
This section will also have a 266-meter-long cable-stayed bridge that will safeguard the Garra del Jaguar cave, which will be one of the four new sites where rescue and research work is being carried out as part of the Archaeological Zones Improvement Program.
Mayan Ecoarchaeological Corridor
These improvements make up the new eco-archaeological corridor that will be in section 5 South, once the archaeological prospecting is finished; that is to say, once the identification of the vestiges that have to be conserved and recovered is finished. Although there is only 50 percent progress in the excavation and recovery of archaeological material, with a record of 7,188 structures and vestiges of immovable nature; as well as 132 archaeological objects and 8 thousand 878 fragments that are analyzed in laboratories, so this will take a long time.
Regarding the Tulum Zone, two new complexes will be opened, Nauyacas and Cresterías, and in the archaeological zone of Muyil, the diagnosis for conservation tasks was completed.
As in every weekly report, Diego Prieto affirmed: “So far, 7,188 structures and vestiges of an immovable nature have been recovered and registered; We have also been able to recover 132 movable archaeological objects (ceramics, lithics, figurines), which are basically intact, that is, complete; 8,878 ceramic fragments or sherds, which are being analyzed in the laboratories that we set up for this purpose; a burial and 588 natural features associated with the development of human groups in the region, which give us enormous information and are, above all, caves, semi-flooded caves and cenotes”.
Source: MX City
