Maya Train Project Uncovers Rare Everyday Maya Settlement in Yucatán

In Yucatán, Mexico, archaeologists have discovered and preserved a previously unidentified Maya settlement, shedding light on the lives of ordinary people living away from the well-known ceremonial centers. Named K’oxol Ja’ II, this site was found in mid-2025 during salvage excavations related to the Progreso Multimodal Terminal, part of the Maya Train Freight initiative. The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) of Mexico has finalized fieldwork and designated a protection area for the site's 21 structures for ongoing research. Ceramic artifacts suggest that K’oxol Ja’ II was inhabited from approximately 400 BC to AD 900, covering the Preclassic to Late Classic periods. This settlement contrasts with the grand architecture typical of Maya sites, revealing insights into the daily lives, housing, and community organization of the non-elite. The find underscores the significance of salvage archaeology amid major infrastructure projects, as the Maya Train has uncovered numerous archaeological treasures throughout the Yucatán Peninsula. The safeguarding of K’oxol Ja’ II guarantees that this exceptional record of everyday Maya existence will remain accessible for future studies and educational purposes.