A substantial Maya site concealed within the forests of southern Quintana Roo has recently come to light after local residents alerted the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
Now named El Jefeciño, the site is notable not only for its scale but for the archaeological insights already emerging from its remains—multiple construction phases that reveal centuries of adaptation, expansion, and reuse.
Spread over about 100 hectares, the site includes around 80 structures. Many follow the Petén style linked to the Classic Maya period (AD 250–900). These buildings show familiar traits: vaulted rooms, softened corners, and apron mouldings. Even without excavation, the layout suggests a planned settlement rather than scattered dwellings.
What makes El Jefeciño especially valuable is the visible sequence of construction. At least three phases can be distinguished on the surface. The lowest level, about eight metres down, contains early apron mouldings. Above that sits a layer with traces of painted stucco—white, orange, and red pigments still clinging to parts of the walls. The uppermost phase shows collapse, where fallen stone exposes stair bases and earlier structural elements. Given the size of the buildings, archaeologists suspect there are more phases below that have yet to be seen.
At the centre of the site lies a group of five large buildings arranged around a “C”-shaped plaza. These structures reach between 11 and 14 metres in height and extend up to 40 metres in length. Their scale and placement point to a formal core, likely used for gatherings, administration, or ritual events. Similar layouts appear in other Maya cities, where plazas formed the heart of public life.
Some of the most intriguing finds come from individual buildings. In one structure, labelled 53035, fragments of a human skeleton were found alongside decorated stucco. Because no excavation has been carried out, everything remains where it was discovered. Still, the association hints at a burial or ceremonial use. The painted surfaces appear ornamental rather than narrative in nature, though that may change with closer study.
Elsewhere, three intact Maya vaults survive inside several buildings. Their condition offers a clear look at construction methods and durability. Another structure, known as Monument 53037, reveals a buried substructure with apron moulding, again pointing to repeated rebuilding over time.
Further work at El Jefeciño will rely on non-invasive methods such as LiDAR scanning to map what lies beneath the dense vegetation. This should help define the full size of the settlement and how its parts connect. As research continues, the site is likely to shed new light on how Maya communities in this region built, expanded, and adapted their cities over generations.
Sources : INAH
