Spanish and British Muskets Found in Yucatán Cenote

Archaeologists from Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) unearthed 153 muskets and rifles from Spanish and British origins, alongside an iron cannon, within the Síis Já cenote located beneath the 16th-century San Bernardino de Siena convent in Valladolid. These weapons were likely discarded by the colonial Yucatecan government during the early Caste War of Yucatán (1847-1901) to evade capture by Maya insurgents. According to Roberto Junco, head of INAH’s underwater archaeology division, this cenote uniquely contains an iron cannon. Additional findings included Maya ceramics and 18th-century Chinese porcelain. INAH initially surveyed the site in 2003, and a follow-up in February 2026, prompted by local archaeologist Sergio Grosjean's report of illegal tourist activities, revealed pollution issues. The cenote is one of over 8,000 sinkholes in the Yucatán Peninsula, crucial for understanding ancient settlements. José Urbina from Sélvame MX noted that the Maya Train project has impacted over 125 cenotes, while unauthorized diving has harmed sites like Hoyo Negro in Tulum. Future plans for Síis Já involve research, conservation, and trash cleanup, with artifacts from 2003 set to be exhibited at the convent.