Mexico experts find 2,000 ruin sites near Maya train route

[Judi Lynn]

FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2018 file photo, tourists walk at the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Experts in Mexico said Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, that they have detected more than 2,000 pre-Hispanic ruins or clusters of artefacts along the proposed route of the president's controversial 'œMaya Train' project on the Yucatan peninsula, which could slow down the already disputed project. (Associated Press)

Updated 10/14/2020 9:36 PM

MEXICO CITY -- Experts in Mexico said Wednesday they have detected more than 2,000 pre-Hispanic ruins or clusters of artefacts along the proposed route of the president's controversial 'œMaya Train' project on the Yucatan peninsula.

The discovery of sites using LiDAR elevation mapping technology could slow down the already disputed project, which opponents contend also threatens indigenous communities and water supplies.

The laser elevation data showed a total of 2,187 'œarchaeological monuments' along 277 miles (366 kilometers) of the proposed route, about one-quarter of the total planned track. Experts already knew about the existence of some of the sites, but some are new.

The term 'œmonuments' can mean many things, ranging from the remains of a pre-Hispanic Maya home, or carved stones, all the way up to remains of temple platforms. It was not clear how many of each type of artefact was detected, but Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History said at least 91 were large-scale structures like plazas, pyramid or temple platforms.

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The Mayas formed a sprawling empire of city-states across the Yucatan and Central America between 2,000 B.C. and A.D. 900, and their descendants still live on the peninsula.

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