Archaeologists from Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have discovered 153 Spanish and British muskets and rifles, along with an iron cannon, in the Síis Já cenote beneath the 16th-century former convent San Bernardino de Siena in Valladolid, Mexico. The weapons were likely discarded by the Yucatecan government during the early years of the Caste War of Yucatán (1847-1901) to prevent them from falling into Maya rebels' hands. The site also yielded Maya ceramic pieces and 18th-century Chinese porcelain, and INAH reported debris and pollution affecting the cenote.
The discovery matters because cenotes are critical archaeological repositories that preserve remains spanning from prehistoric times to the modern era, offering insights into ancient settlements and Maya cosmology. The find also highlights ongoing environmental threats to cenotes from infrastructure projects like the Maya Train, unregulated tourism, and pollution, which activists and researchers say are causing irreparable damage to both heritage and ecosystems. The case underscores the need for stricter regulations and community education to protect these unique sites.