Kulubá Maya ruins are being restored to their ancient splendor

The Mayan ruins of the Mascarones Palace and other buildings in the archeological area of Kulubá , Yucatán state, will soon recover their ancient splendor.

Last year, Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) acquired the archeological area of Kulubá, which is still hidden in the lowland forest. The site was discovered by American archeologist Wyllys Andrews in 1939.

“We also plan to recover the architecture of the Chenes Palace, the Palace of the U Shapes , and other Maya buildings in the area,” said INAH investigator Alfredo Barrera Rubio in an interview with EFE .

At the Kulubá archeological site, visitors will be able to observe multiple pyramid-shaped buildings, rooms, minor structures, and the reconstruction of the Mascarones Palace’s southern frieze, which is protected by a structure of wood and straw.

The architecture of some of the buildings found in Kulubá illustrates the relationship of ancient Mayas with nature and the cosmos.

Though the site, which spans nine square kilometers, is not fully open to the public, visitors can access and observe the Mascarones Palace.

Each building shows elements of the cosmovision, ideology, and religion shared with the ancient inhabitants of Ek Balam , another archeological area in eastern Yucatán.

According to Barrera, some traits of the ceramic pieces, obsidian objects, and painting techniques found in Kulubá indicate that it was also an enclave of the Itza, or Mayas from Chichén Itzá , though during the later classic period ( between 600 and 800 AD ), its population also interacted with the people of Ek Balam.

The investigator acknowledged that a specific date had not yet been defined for the opening of the site. “It all depends on INAH’s Archeological Sites Operation Directorate and Mexico’s Ministry of Finance (SHCP) .

“This will be a slow process. The same thing happened with Chichén Itzá,” he warned.

Though the previous state administration announced that the site would be open for the public in 2019, no resources were allocated for its comprehensive rescue.

The archeological site is 212 kilometers away from Mérida, and though it is difficult to access, it is definitely worth seeing.

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