Collaborative Archaeology, Relational Memory, and Stakeholder Action at Three Henequen Haciendas in Yucatan, Mexico

Abstract

<jats:p>In the Mexican state of Yucatán, the Industrial Revolution is intimately linked to the cultivation and commercialization of henequen (Agave fourcroydes). The second half of the nineteenth and the first decade of the twentieth century are most often referred to as the region’s Gilded Age. Some local families accrued immense wealth, while many peasants were essentially enslaved. The city of Mérida saw the construction of magnificent mansions, and the new port of Progreso was connected through thousands of kilometers of railroads. At the same time, the rural landscape experienced the foundation of countless new and the expansion of existing haciendas. In this article, we provide a comparison of the relational memory of local communities regarding three of these historical settlements: San Pedro Cholul, San Antonio Nohuayún, and San Antonio Sihó. We present the circumstances leading to the historical archaeology project at San Pedro and recount our efforts at involving its descendant community. In the face of the recent destruction of San Pedro’s core buildings, we end with a discussion about the potential fates of Yucatan’s henequen haciendas and a series of suggestions on how to safeguard related material remains, while allowing stakeholders to benefit from historic preservation.</jats:p>

Tracing the structural consequences of colonialism in rural Yucatán, Mexico

“…Projects based in communities and at universities such as the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY) are modeling alternative archaeological approaches that involve the study of the people who lived and worked at haciendas , engagement with contemporary communities about the meanings surrounding heritage, and training local archaeologists (Hernández Álvarez and Zimmermann, 2016; Zimmermann et al., 2020). Rescue excavations conducted as part of public works projects have also increased knowledge about Colonial‐period realities in Yucatán, especially in urban contexts (e.g., Burgos Villanueva, 1995; Burgos Villanueva, Palomo Carrillo, and Dzul Góngora, 2010).…”

“…More frequently, researchers working in adjacent regions and subfields have drawn attention to problematic disciplinary histories and their continuing influence on archaeological and heritage discourses and practice (e.g., Armstrong‐Fumero, 2018; Breglia, 2006; Browman, 2011; Castañeda, 1996; Castillo Cocom, 2004; Euraque, 1998; Evans, 2004; Montejo, 2005; Palacios, 2012; Wainwright, 2008). Accounts of the past generated by archaeologists include discourses that assume incommensurability or static continuity between ancient and contemporary Indigenous peoples of the region (McAnany and Gallareta Negrón, 2010; Pezzarossi, 2020; Pyburn, 2006; Zimmermann et al., 2020, 664). These narratives can serve to undermine Indigenous land claims (Estrada‐Belli, 2020), legitimize oppression (Patterson, 1986, 12–13), and contribute to heritage disavowal or distancing (Flewellen, 2017; Fryer, this section; McAnany and Parks, 2012).…”

INTEGRAL USE OF HENEQUEN (Agave fourcroydes): APPLICATIONS AND TRENDS–A REVIEW

“…Since its implementation for commercial purposes, leaves and stems of henequen have been used for the extraction of fibers, which have been used mainly in the textile industry, for the manufacture of Mayan hammocks, binder twine, (Fig. 5), rugs, baskets, carpets, and clothing (Ramesh et al, 2013;Li and Shen, 2015;Zimmermann et al, 2020).…”

“…A. fourcroydes, popularly known in Mexico as "Henequen blanco" (white henequen), "Sac ki" (in the Mayan language) (Trejo- Torres et al, 2018), "sisal yucateco" (Yucatecan sisal) or "sisal Cubano" (Cuban sisal), this plant is native from Mexico and Guatemala, and it was most likely domesticated from varieties of A. augustifolia found in Yucatan, so it is stated that this plant is native from this region (García-Marín, 1998;Zimmermann et al, 2020). This species is mainly used for fiber extraction in the Yucatan Peninsula, in Mexico, where a planted area of 20,000 hectares is established, from which high volumes are produced of around 27,000 tons per year (SIAP, 2020).…”