Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
INAH archaeological research projects in Mexico fall nearly 50% in a decade
Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History, known as INAH, oversees archaeological research across the country.
Its listed research projects fell from 500 in 2016 to 259 in 2026, according to figures presented by the institute’s national archaeology coordinator.
The number of validated projects also declined, from 394 to 192.
Budget cuts and administrative hurdles have made research harder, alongside the disruption caused by the 2020 and 2021 health emergency.
Meanwhile, salvage archaeology tied to construction has expanded: it accounted for more than 45% of projects in 2026, compared with 20% in 2021.
These projects protect archaeological remains during works such as the Maya Train and the Mexico City airport, while research driven by scientific interest has declined.
The shift matters because it reduces work focused on generating knowledge about Mexico’s past; the sources do not say what happens next.
INAH archaeological and paleontological research projects fell from 500 in 2016 to 259 by October 15, 2026, a decline of nearly 50%.
INAH archaeology coordinator Francisco Mendiola Galván said the decline reflects budget and administrative pressures, not only the 2020 and 2021 health emergency.
Researchers’ science-led projects have declined while archaeological salvage work linked to infrastructure projects has grown.
Salvage projects made up more than 45% of the total in 2026, compared with 20% in 2021.
- Who
- The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH); its National Archaeology Coordination chief, Francisco Mendiola Galván, presented the figures.
- What
- INAH archaeological and paleontological research projects fell from 500 in 2016 to 259 by October 15, 2026.
- When
- The figures compare 2016 with October 15, 2026. Mendiola presented them on October 23.
- Where
- Mexico.
- Why
- Mendiola cited budget cuts, restrictive policies, bureaucracy and administrative barriers. He said the decline was not due only to the 2020 and 2021 health emergency.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
INAH’s institutional project system listed 500 archaeological and paleontological research projects.
The health emergency marked a turning point in field activities.
Archaeological salvage projects accounted for 20% of the total.
The INAH Directorate of Archaeological Salvage increased its projects from 26 to 58.
INAH’s system listed 259 research projects, including 192 validated projects.
Mendiola presented the figures at a regional anthropology and history colloquium convened by El Colegio de Michoacán.
- Projects listed in 2016
- 500
- Projects listed by October 15, 2026
- 259
- Validated projects in 2016
- 394
- Validated projects in 2026
- 192
- Salvage share of projects in 2021
- 20%
- Salvage share of projects in 2026
- More than 45%
What people are saying
han disminuido los proyectos de interés científico, por llamarle de alguna manera, y se han incrementado los de salvamento arqueológico asociados a obras de infraestructura como el AIFA, Tren Maya, Tren Interoceánico, Vivienda para el Bienestar, Gasoducto Centauro del Norte
Ese fenómeno de la arqueología del salvamento está repuntando de manera importante frente a la investigación arqueológica
La arqueología es la fachada del INAH