INAH Researchers Demand Public Debate Over Alleged Archaeological Destruction During Maya Train Construction

Mexico City — Four senior researchers from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have issued a public challenge to their own institution, demanding a formal debate over what they call the “destruction of archaeological monuments” during construction of the Maya Train project.

In a letter dated March 1 and addressed to national and international media, researchers Jesús E. Sánchez, Felipe Echenique March, Fernando Cortés de Brasdefer, and Juan Manuel Sandoval accuse INAH officials of attempting to cover up damage to archaeological sites through what they describe as fraudulent relocation of artifacts.

The controversy centers on statements published in the newspaper El Universal on February 24, attributed to “the INAH,” which sought to refute claims made by researchers Cortés de Brasdefer and Noemí Castillo Tejero during a February 23 seminar. The researchers had alleged that archaeological monuments were destroyed during Maya Train construction and that attempts were made to hide this damage by placing “47 pre-Hispanic monuments” in the “Parque de la Memoria Baalam Tun” in Chetumal, Quintana Roo.

The four researchers note that the El Universal article was “almost anonymous” and not signed by any specific official. “The least that could be expected is that the person responsible for that note would put their name to it,” they wrote, “so the public would know who is trying to deny and hide the challenges we have directed at officials of our institution.”

They allege these same officials “elaborated, authorized, and executed the destructive works of archaeological monuments and their subsequent supposed replacement” in the Baalam Tun park.

In their letter, the researchers state that the El Universal article claimed “the INAH” expressed “its willingness to address any concerns based on verifiable technical and documentary evidence” and that “the protection of cultural heritage is a shared responsibility.”

In response, the researchers have called for a public, open debate with media present, challenging officials to present evidence for their statements. “We have delivered our evidence at various times to the corresponding federal authorities,” they wrote. “This is not the first time we have urged INAH officials to publicly dialogue and debate our respective arguments about the destruction of archaeological monuments that the Maya Train would cause—and that effectively occurred as its construction advanced.”

They specifically call out several INAH officials to participate in the debate, including:

• Dr. Manuel Eduardo Pérez Rivas, identified as responsible for executing the Baalam Tun park work
• The full Archaeology Council, particularly its president Dr. Laura Ledesma Gallegos
• Former National Archaeology Coordinator Dr. Martha Lorenza López Mestas Camberro
• Current National Archaeology Coordinator Dr. Francisco Mendiola Galván
• Technical Secretary José Luis Perea
• Former Director General Diego Prieto Hernández
• Current Director General Joel Omar Vázquez Herrera

The researchers propose that the debate take place on March 17 at 12:00 p.m. in the Jaime Torres Bodet Auditorium of the National Museum of Anthropology, with a notary public present to certify the proceedings and mediation by ICOMOS Mexico (International Council on Monuments and Sites), a UNESCO-affiliated organization. They also request that the debate be broadcast via Radio-INAH and social media platforms.

“With this letter, we pick up the gauntlet thrown down by ‘the INAH’ and await a prompt and timely response,” the researchers concluded, adding that they expect any reply to be signed by an actual official.