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On the Trail of the Ancient Maya...

 

  

Recent archeological discoveries on the island of Cozumel bear striking resemblance to artifacts discovered along the Costa Maya. The similarity between these various finds has been determined not to be chance, but rather direct evidence of an important link between the ancient people of the Costa Maya and the place they once referred to as the “Island of the Swallows”.

Our story begins thousands of years ago…

Twenty-six centuries before the birth of Christ, the ancient Mesoamerican people emerged in what is now the Yucatan Peninsula of Eastern Mexico. As the civilization grew, their territory expanded to the Costa Maya and the greater part of Eastern and Southern Mexico. At their peak (around 260 A.D.), the great people of the Maya had developed a complex calendar and mathematic system, advancements in irrigation and farming, a highly structured class system, and most importantly, intricate and influential religious beliefs.

Out of the numerous religious practices that were a part of life on the Costa Maya, there is one ritual that has been identified as necessary for every Mayan female preparing for marriage and the beginning a family. This ritual required a pilgrimage from the Costa Maya to the island of Cozumel to present an offering to Ixchel, the Goddess of Fertility and Childbirth.

The woman, her family, her future husband and his family would have to travel over 100 miles from the Costa Maya, through thick jungle, faring storms, wildlife and hostile tribes until they reached the        northern tip of the Sian Ka’an. From there, they would travel 12 miles over water to the island of Cozumel by makeshift craft.

Upon arriving on Cozumel a high priest would consecrate and bless tiny dolls that would be laid in shrines at the base of the great Ceiba tree, from which the Mayans believed all life was rooted.

 

 

  

This ritual was believed to be a way of asking the gods for many healthy offspring, who would carry on the family line and ensure the continuation of the culture as a whole. This ritual was thought to be so important for the preservation of the entire race that most couples made the journey multiple times throughout their lives, sometimes up to once a year.

Today, there are more than 40 sites around the island of Cozumel where archeologists are still uncovering these shrines and small dolls that were offered in sacrifice during the fertility ritual. These sites have been compared to known religious centers found on the Costa Maya, and the similarities provide support for this important relationship.

Recent investigations indicate that Cozumel may have been much more than just a religious destination for the people of the Costa Maya. At times it may have been a place for fishermen to come and cast their nets, as well as a safe haven when under attack by enemies from the west. Untouched remains of small homesteads found around the island may in fact be evidence that the people of Costa Maya were some of the first Mayans to settle there permanently.

Just as the Ancient Mayans traveled from the Costa Maya to Cozumel, Trans Caribbean Trust has now landed on the island. We are pleased to announce the opening of our new Cozumel office just north of the Ferry Dock next to The Hard Rock Cafe.

As we are no longer based solely on the Costa Maya, this is the last issue of the ‘Costa Maya Times’. The title of the newsletter has been changed to reflect this development and it will now be called the ‘Trans Caribbean Times’. Look for the first issue in your inbox soon!! 

 

Andrew Synyshyn

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The Trans Caribbean Times is published as a newsletter for the many clients and friends of Trans Caribbean Trust Company. Designed to inform its readers of the current developments. Articles will touch on government infrastructure progress, private development, plus other interesting tidbits. For those who have invested – congratulations! For more information on new listings and new investment opportunities, contact us at: email@transcaribbeantrusme imaginot.com