Riviera Maya, Q.R. — The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) says the ancient human remains found on section 5 of the Maya Train route will not be affected by construction.
In a statement, the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico confirmed that the INAH discovery of human remains in a cenote has been registered and identified and will not be affected by the train project.
The agencies made the joint statement after public claims that the skeleton would be affected by train construction. In their statement they said, “in relation to the statement issued by a group regarding an alleged discovery of human bone remains in the surroundings of Section 5 South of the Maya Train in the state of Quintana Roo, the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico and the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) make the following clarifications:
“The INAH reiterates that citizen Octavio del Río does not currently work or collaborate with the institute. Furthermore, citizens of Del Río and any other person who, due to their activities, make an archaeological or paleontological find, are invited to go to the nearest INAH representation to report it, as stipulated by Mexican law.”
The INAH also clarified that the finding was made in 2019 and is actually “outside the right of way of the Maya Train and at a distance of approximately 400 meters where it will not have any affectation, which has been verified through different technical studies.”
“However, the INAH will carry out the necessary monitoring actions to avoid damages and looting,” they added.
