The mistaken belief that the Maya civilization collapsed and mysteriously disappeared has persisted for decades, even though the Maya people and their language continue to be an integral part of Yucatán's identity and, therefore, of México’s. “The Maya are more than just stones,” writes Dr. Fidencio Briceño Chel in the introduction to the book “La nación maya: gestación, devenir y resistencia ("The Maya Nation: Gestation, Becoming, and Resistance"). “While our ancestors left ‘their mark’ in the stones and monuments that represent their history,” he continues, “to continue believing that this is all there is to the Maya is to sentence ourselves to oblivion and, above all, to contempt and discrimination.”
An article published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology in December 2024 confirms that what was believed to have been the Maya “collapse” was part of a renewal cycle that was interrupted by the arrival of the Spanish. The monumental limestone structures are indeed astounding, but they are only one of the many dimensions of this impressive civilization. The study notes that, despite catastrophic events like droughts, social changes, and even conflicts between different city-states, the population of the Maya area likely remained stable, although with changes in its distribution. What we now know as the “Maya jungle” was, at the time, a vast expanse of rural settlements in Maya houses (made from perishable materials) that covered nearly the entire Península.
The arrival of the Spanish changed the course of this development. The Maya population that survived the diseases brought by the Spanish—against which they had no defenses—and later the conquest war, had to adapt to survive. European religion and lifestyle were integrated with ancient knowledge, beliefs, and practices. This forced encounter gave rise to the Maya culture that exists today, a culture that goes far beyond the “simple stones” mentioned by Dr. Briceño, which many people consider to be its only trace.
The Maya archaeological sites (which are reconstructions, not ruins) are an important part of the identity of the pre-Hispanic Maya culture and, as you’ll find in our page devoted to them, one of Yucatán's most important tourist attractions. They are true monuments to the will, ingenuity, knowledge, and skill of a nation, and each one has something to offer. But they are not everything. We enthusiastically invite you to complement your visit to these sites with visits to museums (such as the Regional Anthropology Museum Palacio Cantón or the Grand Museum of Chichén Itzá) where you can marvel at artifacts such as sculptures, pottery, jewelry, and many others that have been found, preserved and displayed. Even better, venture out to explore the real Maya world: explore Yucatán, its roads, cities, and towns; strike up a conversation with the locals you encounter; you’ll be glad you did for sure.
First published in Yucatán Today print and digital magazine no. 447, in March 2025.
