MEXICO CITY.- Archaeologists from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have made an extraordinary discovery in the ejido of Sierra Papacal, Yucatán — a carved limestone sculpture depicting an “Elder Lord”, believed to date back more than 2,000 years to the Preclassic Maya period (2500 BCE–200 CE).

The find was made during archaeological rescue work connected to the construction of the Mérida–Progreso railway bypass, part of the Tren Maya’s freight infrastructure project. The sculpture, measuring about 45 centimeters (18 inches) tall, was discovered near the entrance of what appears to have been a meeting or ceremonial structure, not a domestic dwelling.

According to INAH archaeologists, the sculpture was intentionally placed beside the northern jamb of an oval-shaped building made of limestone and perishable materials. Its location suggests that it served as a guardian marker, welcoming or protecting those entering a sacred or restricted space. “Its placement is no coincidence,” the researchers explained. “It was clearly meant to command respect—perhaps marking the threshold of a gathering place for ritual or collective discussion.”

The ancient structure where the sculpture was found measures 5.8 meters long and 4.3 meters wide, with a west-facing entrance designed to capture the sunlight. Its thick double walls indicate the possible presence of an interior bench, hinting at a space where people once gathered for ceremonial or community purposes.

Excavations in the area have also revealed traces of multiple construction phases and evidence of a long occupation period, including ceramics and charcoal remains likely linked to a hearth. These findings suggest that Sierra Papacal was part of a thriving Preclassic Maya settlement, which evolved over centuries.

The ongoing excavation is part of a broader archaeological survey along the Highway 66 section of the Tren Maya project, where at least 15 additional structures have been identified within two kilometers of the known sites Papacal 1 and San Francisco 1. The project is led by archaeologists Manuel Pérez Rivas, Susana Echeverría Castillo, Wendy Lorena Pérez Mezquita, and David Alejandro Ferman Valor.

Researchers believe this discovery will deepen understanding of how ancient Maya communities used space for ritual and social life, adding valuable insight into the early stages of Maya civilization in the Yucatán Peninsula.

The “Elder Lord” sculpture will now undergo careful conservation and study at INAH’s laboratories before being displayed to the public.