In 2014, while excavating under the old monkey cage at the Mundaca Hacienda, the foundation of a Mayan temple to Ixchel was discovered. During the construction of walls and pathways around the former Hacienda, they also found an abundance of Mayan relics, which were mostly religious offerings, as well as some human skeletons, and eight underground cisterns built by the Maya to ensure that worshipers didn't go thirsty. Mundaca's Hacienda covered about 40% of the island in the mid 1800's, and stones from the Mayan structures were used in its construction, according to Isla Mujeres historian, Fidel Villanueva Madrid.
The caption for this video says that the Mundaca Hacienda dates back to 1860, when its creator, the pirate and slave trader Fermin Mundaca Marechaga, took refuge in Isla Mujeres from the British Navy, and (later) became infatuated with a native girl, known as “La Trigueña”. It was filmed shortly after the state Tourism Department announced that the municipality of Isla Mujeres was awarded the "Pueblo Magico" designation. (Skip the first six minutes of ads)
Local historian Fidel Villanueva Madrid has the microphone, and the other gentleman is former Mayor Agapito Magana Sanchez. Mr. Villanueva explains that they are at the northern part of the pirate Mundaca's former Hacienda, which was named Vista Alegre (Pleasant View). He says there is documentation from 1856 about that era, which indicates Mundaca was an expert on matters relating to the sea. He built his Hacienda using stones that had been part of a temple to the Mayan goddess Ixchel, located on the property.
Mr. Villanueva explains that that the lagoons and salina lakes had been connected with sea, until 1990. He says that Mayan relics were found in this area, which were left as offerings (of appreciation and hope), because the Maya collected a great deal of salt on the isle (which was important for trade, preserving food, and tanning hides.). He says that the offerings were made of wood, earth, stone, and other materials, and he explains that the first Spaniards who visited the island named it after the Mayan offerings they found which were shaped like women. (Ixchel is the goddess of fertility and birth.)
The Maya also left offerings of copal incense and honey. Mr. Villanueva says that in the past year, many relics and items of archeological interest have been found in this aquatic area, from the post Classic period, of the Mayan culture of the eastern coast, including the pre-classical and proto-Classical periods.
Next they look at the pirate Mundaca's house and Mr. Villanueva says they have historical photos of it. The reporter asks why it is so small, and he replies this is just part of the hacienda, that on both floors it is shortened/cut and was a larger house. This house was constructed in 1872-1876. Agapito explains that the cannons were found under the sea. They clarify that the light was added later and is not part of the original architecture.
While they look at the ruin, Mr. Villanueva explains that when this area was excavated between March and August of 2014, they discovered the remains of a Mayan temple, dedicated to the goddess Ixchel. The former Mayor adds that it was buried under a large amount of dirt and plants. The reporter asks about its function and is told that it was a temple for worshiping, for giving offerings. Relics were found that were made from ceramic and of obsidian. (A newspaper article also mentioned jade).
Mr. Villanueva points out the main part of the structure & talks about the building in relation to the different directions, noting that it is oriented with the solstice. He says the Mayas observed the cosmos and didn't only observe the planets, but also the constellations, and these observations guided them concerning different events, like fishing, farming and other things. He talks about Isla Mujeres & the importance of the Mayan culture here and preserving it. The reporter talks about the significance of the sunrise touching the isle first, in all of Mexico. They talk about the importance of precolonial Mayan history and the Mayan culture here.
The men clarify that the next structure she points out isn't old. Mr. Villanueva explains how the Maya made offerings in hopes of having good luck catching fish or turtles. or with their crops. He says some of the relics were broken, adding that in the past, people removed stones to use for building, and came here to dig for gold or silver. He says there probably were once canals in that area. (He has theorized that there may have been canals passing by this temple, used by the seafaring Maya to leave offerings. He has also said that the Maya broke the offerings that were left in bad years and preserved the others, which is why the Spanish found many offerings when they first visited.)
She asks what kind of offerings were found around the Hacienda and he replies there were remains from offerings of honey, of copal, and many offerings related to fish and fishing, including spines from rays, and items made from turtle shells. He says there were many broken incense holders, and some human skeletons, as well as offerings in the form of arrows/spears for hunting birds and catching fish. To the west, toward Playa Lancheros, there was a cemetery. He emphasizes that this was an important temple to the goddess Ixchel.
Rusty weapons and bullets were also found from the time of Mundaca, who caused destruction to the Maya buildings. They joke a little about Mundaca and his infatuation & how it is said that he died from love (a broken heart). There are ads from 20 to 22.5 minutes
Mr. Villanueva explains that they found eight underground Mayan receptacles, which are called "Chultunes", as they walk toward one of them. Chultunes were underground cisterns used by the Maya to store 30 to 40 thousand liters of rainwater and were sealed with cal-cement. They were constructed near temples so that people who went to worship would have a supply of water. Fidel says there should be 13, but they have only found eight. The reporter asks about that, and he replies that money is a problem.
The Chultune is opened and he asks the professor ("Jaime") what they are called where he is from. He replies "Chultunes" and Mr. Villanueva tells him what they are called in Honduras and in Campeche. She asks about the water, and he replies that it is captured and filters in. She asks about leaves falling in, and he says that the water is filtered and cleaned. The professor explains how a Chultune is different from a well, because there is no vein of water beneath it; that this is a system which collects rainwater, and includes channels to help capture and direct the water.
Then the professor talks about the importance of the number 13 to the Maya and how there are five more Chultunes to be found. Then he talks about the pirates who were Masons and how they would spare the lives of fellow Masons. (I think I've read that Mundaca was a Mason). They joke about politics and she asks Mr. Villanueva for a phone interview when his books are published. There are ads from 30.5 to 33.5 minutes.
They move to a seaside restaurant and are joined by a state tourism official. Agapito talks about how receiving the Pueblo Magico status means having access to more resources, which could make the realization of plans and projects possible at Mundaca, including Mr. Villanueva's proposal for a museum about the history and culture of fishing here, and a botanical garden. They discuss tourism, islanders, and the importance of history and culture. She talks about the importance of being able to compete with other tourist destinations, and they all agree that attractions which feature history and culture can help make Isla competitive. There is a comment about the need for the government to take an interest and provide funds.
They discuss the importance of teaching the next generation about history and culture, which prompts her to ask if Mundaca had any children and she's told there is no record of him having any offspring. She talks about the ignorant destruction of the Mayan codices (written records) and buildings by the Europeans, including 'ignorant' Mundaca, and Fidel teases her about having a Spanish last name. Mr. Villanueva explains how Mundaca fell in love late in life (and he quotes a saying that to live without love isn't living). The pirate fell in love at age 55, with a young woman of 15, La Trigueña, but it didn't prosper and was apparently platonic.
They conclude by discussing how and why Isla Mujeres is special and magical, and how it is full of legends and history, which should be preserved, shared, and passed on to the next generations.
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| Foundation of temple to the Mayan goddess Ixchel, located inside the Mundaca Hacienda. Photo from Diario de Q Roo, Larry Parra, May 14, 2014. |
The caption for this video says that the Mundaca Hacienda dates back to 1860, when its creator, the pirate and slave trader Fermin Mundaca Marechaga, took refuge in Isla Mujeres from the British Navy, and (later) became infatuated with a native girl, known as “La Trigueña”. It was filmed shortly after the state Tourism Department announced that the municipality of Isla Mujeres was awarded the "Pueblo Magico" designation. (Skip the first six minutes of ads)
Local historian Fidel Villanueva Madrid has the microphone, and the other gentleman is former Mayor Agapito Magana Sanchez. Mr. Villanueva explains that they are at the northern part of the pirate Mundaca's former Hacienda, which was named Vista Alegre (Pleasant View). He says there is documentation from 1856 about that era, which indicates Mundaca was an expert on matters relating to the sea. He built his Hacienda using stones that had been part of a temple to the Mayan goddess Ixchel, located on the property.
Mr. Villanueva explains that that the lagoons and salina lakes had been connected with sea, until 1990. He says that Mayan relics were found in this area, which were left as offerings (of appreciation and hope), because the Maya collected a great deal of salt on the isle (which was important for trade, preserving food, and tanning hides.). He says that the offerings were made of wood, earth, stone, and other materials, and he explains that the first Spaniards who visited the island named it after the Mayan offerings they found which were shaped like women. (Ixchel is the goddess of fertility and birth.)
The Maya also left offerings of copal incense and honey. Mr. Villanueva says that in the past year, many relics and items of archeological interest have been found in this aquatic area, from the post Classic period, of the Mayan culture of the eastern coast, including the pre-classical and proto-Classical periods.
Next they look at the pirate Mundaca's house and Mr. Villanueva says they have historical photos of it. The reporter asks why it is so small, and he replies this is just part of the hacienda, that on both floors it is shortened/cut and was a larger house. This house was constructed in 1872-1876. Agapito explains that the cannons were found under the sea. They clarify that the light was added later and is not part of the original architecture.
While they look at the ruin, Mr. Villanueva explains that when this area was excavated between March and August of 2014, they discovered the remains of a Mayan temple, dedicated to the goddess Ixchel. The former Mayor adds that it was buried under a large amount of dirt and plants. The reporter asks about its function and is told that it was a temple for worshiping, for giving offerings. Relics were found that were made from ceramic and of obsidian. (A newspaper article also mentioned jade).
Mr. Villanueva points out the main part of the structure & talks about the building in relation to the different directions, noting that it is oriented with the solstice. He says the Mayas observed the cosmos and didn't only observe the planets, but also the constellations, and these observations guided them concerning different events, like fishing, farming and other things. He talks about Isla Mujeres & the importance of the Mayan culture here and preserving it. The reporter talks about the significance of the sunrise touching the isle first, in all of Mexico. They talk about the importance of precolonial Mayan history and the Mayan culture here.
The men clarify that the next structure she points out isn't old. Mr. Villanueva explains how the Maya made offerings in hopes of having good luck catching fish or turtles. or with their crops. He says some of the relics were broken, adding that in the past, people removed stones to use for building, and came here to dig for gold or silver. He says there probably were once canals in that area. (He has theorized that there may have been canals passing by this temple, used by the seafaring Maya to leave offerings. He has also said that the Maya broke the offerings that were left in bad years and preserved the others, which is why the Spanish found many offerings when they first visited.)
She asks what kind of offerings were found around the Hacienda and he replies there were remains from offerings of honey, of copal, and many offerings related to fish and fishing, including spines from rays, and items made from turtle shells. He says there were many broken incense holders, and some human skeletons, as well as offerings in the form of arrows/spears for hunting birds and catching fish. To the west, toward Playa Lancheros, there was a cemetery. He emphasizes that this was an important temple to the goddess Ixchel.
Rusty weapons and bullets were also found from the time of Mundaca, who caused destruction to the Maya buildings. They joke a little about Mundaca and his infatuation & how it is said that he died from love (a broken heart). There are ads from 20 to 22.5 minutes
Mr. Villanueva explains that they found eight underground Mayan receptacles, which are called "Chultunes", as they walk toward one of them. Chultunes were underground cisterns used by the Maya to store 30 to 40 thousand liters of rainwater and were sealed with cal-cement. They were constructed near temples so that people who went to worship would have a supply of water. Fidel says there should be 13, but they have only found eight. The reporter asks about that, and he replies that money is a problem.
The Chultune is opened and he asks the professor ("Jaime") what they are called where he is from. He replies "Chultunes" and Mr. Villanueva tells him what they are called in Honduras and in Campeche. She asks about the water, and he replies that it is captured and filters in. She asks about leaves falling in, and he says that the water is filtered and cleaned. The professor explains how a Chultune is different from a well, because there is no vein of water beneath it; that this is a system which collects rainwater, and includes channels to help capture and direct the water.
Then the professor talks about the importance of the number 13 to the Maya and how there are five more Chultunes to be found. Then he talks about the pirates who were Masons and how they would spare the lives of fellow Masons. (I think I've read that Mundaca was a Mason). They joke about politics and she asks Mr. Villanueva for a phone interview when his books are published. There are ads from 30.5 to 33.5 minutes.
They move to a seaside restaurant and are joined by a state tourism official. Agapito talks about how receiving the Pueblo Magico status means having access to more resources, which could make the realization of plans and projects possible at Mundaca, including Mr. Villanueva's proposal for a museum about the history and culture of fishing here, and a botanical garden. They discuss tourism, islanders, and the importance of history and culture. She talks about the importance of being able to compete with other tourist destinations, and they all agree that attractions which feature history and culture can help make Isla competitive. There is a comment about the need for the government to take an interest and provide funds.
They discuss the importance of teaching the next generation about history and culture, which prompts her to ask if Mundaca had any children and she's told there is no record of him having any offspring. She talks about the ignorant destruction of the Mayan codices (written records) and buildings by the Europeans, including 'ignorant' Mundaca, and Fidel teases her about having a Spanish last name. Mr. Villanueva explains how Mundaca fell in love late in life (and he quotes a saying that to live without love isn't living). The pirate fell in love at age 55, with a young woman of 15, La Trigueña, but it didn't prosper and was apparently platonic.
They conclude by discussing how and why Isla Mujeres is special and magical, and how it is full of legends and history, which should be preserved, shared, and passed on to the next generations.
 |
| Temple to the goddess Ixchel at Punta Sur, (on the cliffs at the southern tip of the isle) which is also considered to have nautical significance. Photo taken in 1891 by Teobert Maler (Austrian archeologist). |
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