Unauthorized Divers Damage Archaeological Remains in Tulum’s Hoyo Negro Cenote

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Underwater exploration specialists have reported damage to archaeological and paleontological remains in the Hoyo Negro cenote following unauthorized entry by a group of foreign divers to this cave system in Tulum.

According to cave divers Alejandro Álvarez and Alberto Nava, members of the Tulum Speleological Project who were involved in the 2007 discovery of the “Naia” skeleton, the incident occurred during scientific work coordinated with the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).

The researchers said at least five divers entered the site without authorization and without following established restrictions to protect the area.

“They ignored official signage prohibiting access and descended to the bottom of the sinkhole without control or supervision,” Nava said.

According to the specialists, the improper access disturbed sediment at the bottom of the cavity, which is considered crucial for studying the continent’s first inhabitants and Pleistocene fauna.

“The most serious aspect is that they removed remains that had remained intact for thousands of years,” Álvarez explained.

Among the documented damage, they mentioned manipulation of prehistoric animal bone remains, including a puma skeleton whose fangs were fractured, as well as disturbance of other specimens that form part of the site’s scientific record.

The specialists noted that Hoyo Negro has official signage and access restrictions due to its scientific importance, meaning any intervention requires authorization and specific protocols.

In that sense, they warned that incursions by people without proper technical preparation or adequate supervision represent a risk both to the heritage and to the divers’ own safety.

“This type of irregular access is not an isolated incident; we’ve detected similar cases in other caves in the region,” Álvarez added.

According to their account, the group involved appears related to unregulated tourist diving activities, which would highlight failures in supervision mechanisms at such sites.

The specialists called for increased surveillance and enforcement of established provisions to protect underwater heritage.

Hoyo Negro is considered one of the most important underwater sites on the Yucatan Peninsula due to discoveries that have helped reconstruct key aspects of human presence and fauna in America during the Pleistocene.

The discovery of “Naia,” one of the oldest human skeletons found on the continent, placed this site at the center of international scientific research.