An ancient Maya city and a palace-like complex have been uncovered in southeastern Mexico, marking a major archaeological find linked to the construction of the Maya Train railway. Spanning 930 miles across the Yucatán Peninsula, this infrastructure project has provided opportunities for extensive exploration. The Mexican National Insтιтute of Anthropology and History (INAH) announced the discovery, offering fresh insights into the ancient Maya civilization.

Kabah, Yucatan, Mexico: building 1A2. Credit: HJPD / CC BY 3.0

The palace was unearthed within the archaeological zone of Kabah, located in the Puuc region of Yucatán state, near the contemporary city of Mérida. The name Kabah, meaning “strong hand” or “powerful hand” in the ancient Maya language, is ᴀssociated with a site that traces its roots back to around 400 BCE. Initially, Kabah was home to a modest group of hunter-gatherers and lacked substantial architectural development in its early phases.

The city’s more formal establishment occurred between CE 250 and 500. Despite being founded during this period, Kabah’s early growth was slow due to the absence of permanent water sources, which limited its expansion and construction of large structures. Monumental architecture only began to appear around 400 CE, marking a turning point in the city’s development.

Kabah reached its zenith between 750 and 900 CE. However, around 950 CE, its ruling elite abandoned the city, leaving behind only the poorer inhabitants who lived on its periphery. This event was part of the broader pattern of decline that eventually brought the Maya civilization’s dominance to an end.

The newly revealed structure has been named the Petenero Palace by researchers. The palace is characterized by an 85-foot quadrangular design, featuring architectural carvings that include birds, feathers, and beads—ornamental motifs typical of elite Maya construction.

Similarities between the Petenero Palace and architectural styles from the Petén Department in Guatemala have led to comparisons between the two regions. The palace’s original roof was likely made from organic materials, such as guano palm, which have not endured over time.

INAH’s general director, Diego Prieto Hernández, has suggested that Kabah may have been founded by migrants from the Guatemalan Petén area. He noted, “We propose that an important migration from that site founded Kabah.” This movement from northern Central America into the region now known as southern Mexico is seen as a key chapter in Kabah’s history.

A notable aspect of this discovery is the exceptional preservation of the palace and surrounding complexes, especially considering that they were located on privately owned land. Their state of conservation has enabled scholars to examine them in detail.

These findings deepen our understanding of Maya urban migration and offer new context for the historical narrative of the civilization—renowned for its achievements in astronomy, mathematics, calendrical systems, monumental architecture, and the development of one of the world’s earliest writing systems.

More information: INAH