Unveiling Tulum’s Mayan Cultural Treasures

The Eastern Coast Museum and the Tulum-Tankah archaeological zone, nestled within Jaguar Park, are cultural gems in the municipality of Tulum, Quintana Roo. These sites serve as platforms to showcase and educate visitors about the vibrant Mayan culture, according to Margarito Molina, the director of the INAH Center in the state.

Jaguar Park is not solely dedicated to nature conservation, but also to the promotion of cultural heritage. The park effectively merges material heritage with tourism to bring the living culture to life.

The Eastern Coast region, defined during the Late Postclassic period from 1200 to 1521, is renowned for its unique architecture. It comprises around 30 archaeological sites, including Holbox, Isla Mujeres, San Miguelito, El Rey, Xcalacoco, Xamanhá, Xcaret, Xelhá, Tulum, and Muyil. The main attractions of Jaguar Park, Molina continued, are the archaeological zone and the beaches, although the importance of the surrounding mangroves and low jungle should not be overlooked.

The area has experienced rapid urban growth, similar to Playa del Carmen in the 90s and early 2000s. The challenge lies in creating a dialogue between the local population, the living culture, and visitors, both local and international. Visitors should be aware that while the Mayan people have a rich history, their culture is very much alive today.

Molina emphasized that for INAH, the most important aspect is how material heritage, whether it's museum-grade or archaeological, can be linked with tourism to promote and inform about a living culture. Discussing the Mayans' past is always captivating, but so too is their current knowledge of agriculture and their relationship with nature.

The archaeologist concluded by noting that many pre-Hispanic elements, such as the deities in the fields, continue to exist today. The insights offered by an archaeological museum and a Mayan inhabitant of this significant metropolis in the Mexican Caribbean are truly fascinating.