Ancient human remains and Maya ceramics discovered deep inside Cenote Yaakun
Archaeologists in Mexico have launched a major underwater research and conservation project following the discovery of ancient human remains and Maya ceramic vessels deep inside Cenote Yaakun, a flooded sinkhole near Playa del Carmen in Quintana Roo.
The discovery includes the skeletal remains of a possible young woman, provisionally named Yatzil, along with a separate concentration of Maya pottery resting in an exceptionally well-preserved underwater environment.
Researchers believe the undisturbed site offers a rare opportunity to study ancient Maya activity while emphasizing the urgent need to protect submerged cultural heritage.
Discovery leads to new underwater archaeology projectImage Credit : PDC Gustavo García SAS INAH
Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), through its Sub-directorate of Underwater Archaeology (SAS), launched the investigation after local custodians and experienced technical divers reported archaeological remains inside the cenote during late 2025.
According to Mexico's Ministry of Culture, the project combines scientific research with long-term conservation to preserve the fragile underwater site.
Culture Secretary Claudia Curiel de Icaza praised the collaboration between archaeologists and the local community, noting that protecting archaeological heritage is a shared responsibility.
Archaeologists explore depths exceeding 50 metres
During the first expedition, archaeologists carried out five days of technical diving at depths ranging between 42 and 53 metres.
Using underwater photogrammetry, the team documented two separate archaeological zones located about 30 metres apart.
One area contained human skeletal remains, while the second preserved several ceramic vessels resting on the cenote floor.
The detailed mapping resulted in the creation of the official Cenote Yaakun Research Project, which has now received approval from the INAH Archaeology Council.
Human remains identified as possible young woman
Researchers have provisionally named the individual Yatzil, meaning "beloved person" in the Maya language—a name inspired by the cenote itself.
Physical anthropologists identified portions of the arms, legs, pelvis and lower jaw, along with three preserved molars.
Based on dental wear and skeletal characteristics, the individual was likely a young adult woman between 18 and 25 years old.
Although the remains are exceptionally well preserved, archaeologists stress that it is still too early to determine her cultural identity or exact age.
Scientists hope that a future expedition planned for 2027 will allow the careful recovery of a tooth for ancient DNA analysis.
Maya pottery discovered nearby
The second archaeological area contained three globular ceramic vessels, including one complete example and two fragmented pots.
Preliminary examination suggests the ceramics belong to the East Coast Maya tradition, dating to the Late Postclassic period (AD 1200–1521).
Only a single pottery fragment has been removed for laboratory analysis, while the remaining artefacts have intentionally been left in place to preserve their original archaeological context.
Protecting a fragile underwater heritage site
Beyond the archaeological discoveries, conservation remains the project's highest priority.
Researchers have established exclusion zones around the archaeological deposits and are working closely with landowners, cave-diving operators and the local community to prevent disturbance of the site.
The cenote descends beyond 80 metres, with the archaeological remains located beneath a dense layer of hydrogen sulphide that has helped preserve the site for centuries.
The stable underwater environment—including constant temperature, darkness and limited oxygen—has contributed to the remarkable preservation of both the human remains and ceramic artefacts.
A valuable window into the ancient Maya worldImage Credit : PDC Gustavo García SAS INAH
The discoveries at Cenote Yaakun provide an exceptional opportunity to investigate ancient Maya life using modern underwater archaeological techniques.
By preserving the site in its original setting, researchers hope future scientific advances—including ancient DNA studies and improved dating methods—will reveal more about the identity of Yatzil, the history of the cenote and the communities that once lived across Mexico's Caribbean coast.
The project highlights both the scientific importance of submerged archaeological landscapes and the essential role of community cooperation in protecting them for future generations.