After two years of dialogue and coordinated work between the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and ejidal authorities, the ancient Maya city of Ichkabal in Quintana Roo, Mexico, has opened to the public, marking a step in the preservation of Maya heritage and the development of the region, according to Milenio.
Ichkabal has become the 194th pre-Columbian archaeological site open to visitors in Mexico. The event is expected to generate opportunities for economic and social development for local communities, while balancing economic growth with the protection of the historical legacy, as reported by El Economista.
The opening was made possible by the completion of a Prior Occupation Agreement over 113 hectares, signed by INAH and the Ichkabal Ejidal Commission, which includes the core area of the site. This agreement provides legal certainty for the research, conservation, and cultural dissemination project at Ichkabal and benefits 165 landowners and their families who have collaborated with government.
Located in southern Quintana Roo, just 40 kilometers from Bacalar and 75 kilometers from Chetumal, Ichkabal is distinguished by its structures grouped in triadic sets, characteristic of Maya architecture from the Preclassic Period. These triadic groups offer an experience for visitors interested in history and culture.
Ichkabal shared the civilizational peak of the Maya Classic period, from 200 to 600 CE, and was contemporary with Maya cities such as Calakmul and Tikal. Between 200 BCE and 200 CE, it played a role in the development of the architectural style known as Petén.
The site was officially registered on January 30, 1996, by INAH. From the 2000s onward, INAH carried out tasks focused on archaeological prospection, cleaning, conservation, and restoration of monumental structures, stucco remains, and mural painting at Ichkabal, according to Milenio. These efforts were led by specialists such as Luz Evelia Campaña, Javier López Camacho, Enrique Nalda Hernández, Hortensia de Vega Nova, and Sandra Balanzario Granados.
Ichkabal houses structures that stand out for their historical relevance and scale. Many of the structures exceed 40 meters in height, reflecting the splendor of the ancient Maya civilization, as reported by ANSA. Ichkabal is considered one of the oldest Maya cities in the region.
The archaeological zone was restored by INAH, which worked for decades on the cleaning, conservation, and protection of the site. Thanks to the Archaeological Zones Improvement Program (Promeza), Ichkabal now features modern infrastructure, including parking, ticket offices, rest areas, and a service unit to ensure a comfortable and safe visit, according to La República.
The access road to Ichkabal, which is 23 kilometers long, was newly constructed, facilitating access to the site. This road can be reached from the Maya Train stations of Bacalar and Chetumal, directly connecting the site to these transportation hubs, as noted by El Economista.
Access to the Ichkabal archaeological zone is free, improving mobility for visitors and fostering the economic participation of local communities. The site is open every day from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last entry at 4:30 PM, allowing visitors ample time to explore the site, reported La República.
“I am pleased that the ejido and the INAH have achieved this definitive agreement, and that within it dialogue has been prioritized. The world has the right to know our great Maya culture, and that is why Quintana Roo, with 12 archaeological zones, is the state with the largest number of heritage sites valued thanks to Promeza,” said Governor Mara Lezama, according to El Economista. She also stated that the opening will generate opportunities for economic and social development for the communities near the area.
The signing of the occupancy agreement took place in Chetumal, with Diego Prieto Hernández, the General Director of INAH, and Governor Mara Lezama participating as witnesses. As honorary witnesses, the agreement was also signed by Margarito Molina, director of the state INAH Center; Refugio Cano Gómez, president of the Ichkabal Ejidal Commission; and César Augusto Flores Ramos, representative of the Agrarian Attorney’s Office of Quintana Roo,.
The name Ichkabal in Maya translates to Spanish as “between lows,” reflecting the site’s geographical setting and adds to its cultural significance.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.
This article was originally published at www.jpost.com
