History of Tulum in Timeline

Tulum is a pre-Columbian Mayan walled city located on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Perched on cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea, it served as a vital port for Coba. Tulum flourished between the 13th and 15th centuries and was among the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya. Although the Maya remained there for approximately 70 years following the Spanish occupation of Mexico, it was abandoned by the end of the 16th century. As one of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites, Tulum is now a significant tourist attraction.

1913: Restoration work begins

In 1913, Sylvanus Morley and George P. Howe began work at Tulum to restore the site and open the public beaches.

1916: Carnegie Institution continues work

In 1916, the Carnegie Institution continued restoration work at Tulum until 1922.

1922: Carnegie Institution ends restoration work

In 1922, the Carnegie Institution ended its restoration work at Tulum.

1924: Samuel Lothrop maps the site

In 1924, Samuel Lothrop mapped the Tulum site as part of his investigations.

1956: William Sanders' investigation

In 1956, William Sanders conducted investigations at Tulum which later contributed to the determination that Tulum was occupied during the late Postclassic period around AD 1200.

2016: Discovery of ancient female skeleton

In 2016, an underwater archaeological expedition led by Jerónimo Avilés exploring the cenote cave system discovered the skeleton of a female about 30 years of age that may be at least 9,900 years old. The skull conformed to the mesocephalic pattern, like the other three skulls found in Tulum caves.

2017: Tulum becomes third most-visited archeological site in Mexico

In 2017, Tulum became the third most-visited archeological site in Mexico, receiving over 2.2 million visitors, after Teotihuacan and Chichen Itza.

2018: Release of "The Dark Side of Tulum" documentary

In 2018, Rachel Appel filmed and released a documentary entitled "The Dark Side of Tulum" as an exposé of the environmental impacts of the local tourist industry.

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