Photography gives us the possibility of knowing more about the world around us, whether capturing architectural structures, animals, landscapes, or people who become protagonists, bringing us closer to a moment impregnated with an aesthetic sense.
In the midst of routine, the image of a corner of Mexico can serve as entertainment, to relieve the eyes and discover a new detail that could be used to show off at meetings.
This photograph invites us to analyze the greatness of human creativity and the beauty of what is located in the country. This is the image, provided by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
Cultural heritage is an essential link to our collective identity and memory. Its restoration and conservation not only preserve history but also enrich knowledge about the societies that preceded us. These are two of the fundamental and essential tasks of INAH, an institution whose objective, in its daily work, is to develop and execute projects that guarantee the protection of these assets for future generations.
A notable example is the project awarded the INAH 2024 Paul Coremans Prize in the Conservation of Movable Property category: the restoration of the masks of Structure 2C6, Codz Pop, in the Kabáh Archaeological Zone, Yucatán.
In this project, an interdisciplinary team attended to more than 5,400 pieces of carved stone that make up 161 masks of Witz, the Mayan god of the sacred mountain, in a comprehensive effort from July 2022 to June 2023. The project not only rescued stone mosaics, but also revealed iconographic details related to deities such as Itzamnaaj, Chaac, and Witz.
In the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula, Kabáh, one of the most emblematic cities of the Mayan civilization, stands as a testimony to the architectural and cultural splendor of this ancient civilization. Declared a State Park in 1993, this pre-Hispanic city stands out not only for its historical importance but also for its architectural wealth, which positions it as the second most relevant religious center of the Puuc style, after Uxmal.
According to the state government, its peak period dates back to the year 800 AD, coinciding with the rise of Uxmal during the 9th and 10th centuries. However, like other Mayan cities, Kabáh was abandoned in the 11th century, leaving behind a legacy that still fascinates archaeologists and visitors.
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