Ancient Mayan Pyramid Staircase Reopens in Mexico

Tulum, Mexico — The new staircase of Nohoch Mul, one of the most important pre-Hispanic structures in the Cobá archaeological zone, was reopened to the public on Sunday.

The ceremony was led by the federal Secretary of Culture, Claudia Curiel de Icaza, who also inaugurated the new Services Unit, carried out within the Archaeological Zone Improvement Program (Promeza).

Considered the tallest in the northern Maya area, the staircase once again allows ascent and descent of the 42-meter-high structure.

According to the secretary, approximately five million pesos were allocated for this project.

“On behalf of President Claudia Sheinbaum, I want to reiterate that this work represents how we understand cultural policy, heritage as a right for all, the care of territory as a public good, and conservation as a task that can only be done in community,” she stated.

The installation of the staircase was approved by the Archaeology Council (CA) of INAH, and, according to the secretary, was carried out in full compliance with international standards for the restoration of archaeological monuments.

According to the head of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), Joel Omar Vázquez Herrera, during its peak between 200 and 600 AD, Cobá covered an area of 70 square kilometers and housed approximately 50,000 inhabitants.

He emphasized that its splendor was due to the commercial networks it established with other Maya cities such as Chichén Itzá, Ichkabal, and even with Tikal and others located on the Caribbean coast.

Regarding the staircase, he noted that visitors and ejidatarios had been demanding this restoration since 2019, when ascent was suspended due to natural wear caused by tourist traffic.

The staircase was executed by ejidatarios from the Noh Bec community, who used regional woods—such as tzalam, mahogany, parota, and chicozapotes—that offer ideal characteristics and conditions for the construction of docks, stairs, cabins, and other types of objects.

In addition to the head of INAH and Secretary Curiel de Icaza, the ceremony was attended by the general director of the Institute of Culture and Arts of Quintana Roo, Lilian Villanueva Chan, representing Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa; and ejidal authorities of Cobá, led by Atilano Huicab Nájera.