Archaeologists Denounce ‘Historical Falsification’ at Maya Park in Chetumal

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — A new archaeological park in Chetumal, intended to preserve Maya heritage, has been labeled a “fraud against archaeological patrimony” by experts from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).

A special commission from the INAH’s Union of Research Professors concluded that Báalam Tun Park lacks documentary foundation and has committed acts of “archaeological harm.” Their technical inspection report details that the 47 structures transplanted from sections 6 and 7 of the Tren Maya project were not moved intact.

The 22-page report states that only the exterior stones were relocated to create stone shells, while the original cores of the pyramids were abandoned. “Under the transported coverings there are no archaeological remains, but modern fill,” the report notes. Photographs of the original site show pits left by heavy machinery, contradicting the official INAH version that claimed an artisanal, digitized process using photogrammetry.

Modern Facades Over Destroyed Vestiges

Experts, led by archaeologists including Sergio Gómez Chávez, criticize the structures at Báalam Tun Park for having a “freshly polished” finish with exact joints that erase any marks of their thousands of years of history. By not including “witness marks” to differentiate original from restored elements, the park creates a false pre-Hispanic appearance.

“The unsuspecting visitor is made to believe they are walking among authentic ruins, when in reality they are modernized imitations,” the commission warns, describing the result as a scenography without true historical value.

Astronomical and Ritual Decontextualization

One of the most serious points raised is the loss of original context. The buildings were originally found in locations linked to lunar cycles, solstices, and equinoxes. By moving them to the park, this scientific and ritual orientation was irreparably lost. Without this cosmic link, the monuments cease to be authentic testimonies of Maya culture.

Lack of Transparency and Legal Void

The report also reveals a series of administrative contradictions, where official documents overlap or deny knowledge of the works. Furthermore, experts emphasize that the Federal Law on Archaeological, Artistic, and Historical Monuments and Zones does not contemplate the transfer of entire zones, which would strip the project of legal legitimacy.

Finally, the archaeologists warn that accepting what occurred at Báalam Tun Park sets a dangerous precedent that could legitimize future demolitions and artificial reconstructions at other sites across the country, threatening the integrity of national patrimony under the guise of preservation.