Ancient Mayan “Cult” Temple Discovered in Mexico’s Jungle

Archaeologists from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have made a groundbreaking discovery at the El Tigre archaeological site in Campeche, Mexico. An ancient circular structure, dating from the early Postclassic period (1000-1200 CE), has been unearthed, offering fascinating insights into the worship practices and architectural preferences of the ancient Maya civilization. The structure is believed to be connected to the worship of Kukulcán, a prominent Maya serpent deity akin to the Aztec’s Quetzalcóatl.

El Tigre, traditionally known as Itzamkanac or Place of the Iguana/Crocodile House, has been a lesser-explored site in comparison to famous counterparts like Chichen Itza and Palenque. This latest find is part of ongoing explorations that are revealing the site’s spiritual significance and its importance in the ancient Maya world. The discovery highlights El Tigre’s role as a regional capital and commercial hub for the Chontal Maya civilization and suggests that the site is the ancient Maya settlement of Itzamkanac.

The circular structure, a two-story building that possibly supported a flat-roofed temple, expands our understanding of El Tigre’s late occupation during a time when the Maya zone had extensive connections with other Mesoamerican regions, including central Mexico, Oaxaca, and the Gulf Coast. This connection is further supported by evidence that El Tigre was an important Maya port town, with around 10,000 inhabitants, connecting the region with other significant areas of Mesoamerica.

Artifacts unearthed at El Tigre, including knives, spherical weights, flint, and obsidian wares, indicate trade links with other regions and with the Kingdom of Tikal as far back as the Late Pre-Classic Maya era (300 BC – 250 AD). These findings provide valuable insights into the political, economic, and religious aspects of the ancient Maya. Glyphs and inscriptions in the region tell stories of rulers, gods, and everyday life.

The site was mentioned in the Paxbolón Maldonado Papers of the Chontal chief Don Pablo Paxbolón (1575-1576), which reported structures dedicated to four main deities of the Post-Classic Maya era, including Kukulcán. Archaeologist Vargas Pacheco has proposed that El Tigre matches the Itzamkanac of historical sources, aligning with the location cited and archaeological data on its identification.

However, the archaeological excavation at El Tigre is part of the Tren Maya (Maya Train) project, a nearly 1,000-mile-long railway set to start operating in December. The project aims to bring tourists to lesser-known inland locations, including historic Maya sites, but has faced controversy and criticism. Critics express concerns about potential damage to archaeological sites and environmental impact. The area is still scarcely explored, and many fear that rapid construction could lead to significant archaeological and environmental losses.

Activists have protested the project since its inception in 2018, particularly focused on section five near Playa del Carmen. They argue that rerouting the train line through the rainforest will cause irreversible damage to the environment and threaten ancient Maya sites. The Mexican government has been accused of not being transparent about these risks and of conducting mandatory research in a hurried manner, compromising the quality required for archaeological research. Furthermore, there are concerns that increased tourism might exacerbate problems of drug cartels and human trafficking.

Despite the controversies, the discovery at El Tigre contributes significantly to our understanding of the Maya civilization. It provides valuable perspectives on the religious rituals, architectural preferences, and cultural interactions of the Chontal Maya people throughout the early Postclassic period. This circular structure, connected to the cult of Kukulcán, adds a new dimension to the rich tapestry of human history and the diverse expressions of spirituality and belief across cultures.