Mexican archaeologists have unearthed a nearly intact Mayan wooden boat in the Yucatan Peninsula that experts say may be more than a thousand years old. The rare find was made during the initial research to build a train route in the area, where many Mayan structures still stand.
The canoe was found in an underground lake, called Cenote, not far from the important and famous Mayan city of Chichen Itza. The boat was under water and about 1.6 meters long. According to the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), the canoe may have been used to transport water or to place offerings in the water.
Currently, experts estimate that the craft dates back to the period from 830 to 950 AD. At that time, the height of the Mayan civilization came to an end as dozens of cities flourished in what is today southern Mexico and Central America and the Mayan culture made great achievements in mathematics, writing, and art.
The “Maya Train” that tours the area is a prestigious project of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. According to the president, the train is good for tourism in the region and can also help reduce poverty in southern Mexico. However, critics argue that the project threatens to harm wildlife in the area.
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