Мексикийн Плайя-дель-Кармен хотын ойролцоох “Сеноте Яакун” хэмээх усан доорх агуйгаас эртний Майя иргэншлийн үеийн хүний шарил болон шаазан эдлэлүүд олдлоо.
Мексикийн Үндэсний антропологи, түүхийн хүрээлэнгийн (INAH) Усан доорх археологийн дэд захиргаанаас 2025 оны сүүлээр орон нутгийн иргэд болон шумбагчдын мэдээллийн дагуу судалгааны ажлыг эхлүүлжээ. Археологичид 42-53 метрийн гүнд таван өдрийн турш шумбаж, 30 метрийн зайтай байрлах хоёр тусдаа бүсээс хүний болон амьтны яс, мөн шаазан ваарнуудыг баримтжуулсан байна.
Судлаачид “Яакун” хэмээн нэрлэсэн залуу эмэгтэйн ясны үлдэгдлийг 42-46 метрийн гүнээс олсон бөгөөд шүдний элэгдэл, бүтцэд үндэслэн түүнийг 18-25 насны хүн байсан хэмээн таамаглаж байна. Уг олдворыг фотограмметрийн аргаар нарийвчлан зураглаж, байршлыг нь өөрчлөхгүйгээр хадгалахаар шийдвэрлэжээ.
Хоёр дахь бүсээс олдсон шаазан ваарнуудыг Майя иргэншлийн Хойд эрэг орчмын соёлд хамаарах бөгөөд МЭ 1200-1521 оны хоорондох “Хожуу постклассик” үед холбогдож болзошгүй гэж үзэж байна. Эрдэмтэд 2027 онд хийх дараагийн судалгааны аяллаар ДНХ-ийн шинжилгээ хийх дээж авах төлөвлөгөөтэй байгаа бөгөөд тухайн бүсийг хамгаалалтад авч, хөндөлгүйгээр цаашид судлахаар төлөвлөжээ.
Дэлгэрэнгүйг эх сурвалжаас харах
↓Эх сурвалжийг нээх ↓
Archaeologists in Mexico have discovered the remains of a possible young Maya woman and a group of ancient ceramic vessels deep inside Cenote Yaakun, a flooded sinkhole near Playa del Carmen.
The individual, temporarily named Yatzila Maya word meaning “beloved person”, was found during an underwater exploration led by the Sub-directorate of Underwater Archaeology (SAS) of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). Researchers also identified a separate area containing Maya ceramics that has remained largely untouched.
The discovery came after local custodians and technical divers reported cultural remains inside the cenote in late 2025. During their first mission, archaeologists spent five days diving at depths between 42 and 53 metres to document the area and record the position of the remains.
The team identified two archaeological zones located about 30 metres apart. One contained human and animal remains, while the other contained ceramic vessels. The findings led to the creation of the Cenote Yaakun Research Project, now officially supported by INAH’s Archaeology Council.
A Hidden Maya Site Preserved Underwater
The exploration of Cenote Yaakun revealed a complex underwater environment. The cenote reaches more than 80 metres in depth, with the archaeological material located in a sloping chamber beyond a dense layer of hydrogen sulphide.
Underwater archaeologist Gustavo García García used photogrammetry to create detailed maps of the two discovery areas. The technique allowed researchers to document the site without disturbing the remains.
The project also highlights the role of local communities in protecting archaeological heritage. As the Culture Secretary Claudia Curiel de Icaza said:
“Scientific research and social participation are fundamental to preserving these contexts intact and passing them on to future generations.”
Several parts of the discovery were still in their original positions, although some skull fragments had shifted. García García explained that:
“Several elements remain in their original positions, although some fragments of the skull had been displaced,” he said. “This underlines the fragility of underwater archaeological contexts. Our objective is to preserve the site in situ and encourage both the local community and diving groups to help protect it.”
Yatzil’s Ancient Remains Enter Scientific Study
The human remains were discovered between 42 and 46 metres below the surface, alongside animal bones. Physical anthropologist Salvador Isab Estrada identified parts of the arms, legs, pelvis and lower jaw during the initial examination.
The condition of the teeth helped researchers estimate the individual’s age. Three molars were still intact, while tooth wear patterns and the loss of a premolar suggest that the person was likely a young adult woman between 18 and 25 years old.
The identity of Yatzil and the exact age of the remains are still unknown. As stated by the research team, a future expedition planned for 2027 could allow scientists to collect a tooth sample for ancient DNA analysis.
For now, archaeologists have chosen not to remove the remains. During the first field season, they recovered only a single ceramic fragment for laboratory testing and left the rest of the site untouched.
Hidden Maya Secrets Found In Cenote Artifacts
The second archaeological area contained three globular ceramic vessels found at depths of up to 53 metres. One vessel was complete, while the two others were broken.
Initial studies suggest that the pottery belongs to the East Coast Maya tradition and may date back to the Late Postclassic period, between AD 1200 and 1521. More research will be needed to confirm the age of the objects.
According to the INAH release, the conservation plan will establish protected areas around the deposits while working with landowners and diving operators to ensure visitors do not touch, move, or damage the artifacts.
Researchers now want to keep this underwater time capsule intact so future studies can continue without changing the original archaeological setting.
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