Archaeologists working on the controversial Maya Train construction project in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula have uncovered a 2,000-year-old limestone face carving. The 18-inch-tall artifact was found in Sierra Papacal, near Mérida, during construction of the Mérida-Progreso Railway Bypass, part of the Maya Train's freight infrastructure. The carving, which features deep-set eye sockets, a flat nose, and a cleft lip, is believed to represent an elderly man and was positioned as a marker or entrance to a building with an ovoid floor plan. The discovery was announced by Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) on November 10, and the artifact will be transported to a laboratory for conservation and analysis.
This discovery highlights the ongoing tension between large-scale infrastructure development and archaeological preservation in Mexico. The Maya Train project, which aims to connect historical sites and boost tourism, has unearthed thousands of archaeological objects since 2020, but has also drawn criticism from activists and scholars who argue it threatens cultural heritage. The find underscores the importance of archaeological oversight in such projects and raises questions about how development can balance economic goals with the protection of ancient artifacts and sites.