The Caste War 1847-1900

The exploitation of indigenous people led the Mayas of the eastern Yucatán Peninsula to rise up in arms on a number of occasions. In 1847, the armed uprising called the Caste War began, and a new religion known as the Cult of the talking crosses developed. The rebel capital was Noh Cah or Chan Santa Cruz, now Carillo Puerto, with smaller centers like Tulum serving as adjuncts to the military and religious headquarters. After the capital fell, the Villa Grande de Santa Cruz Tulum became an important center under María Uicab, known as the Queen of Tulum. The cruzoob recognized the ruins as sacred and placed a cross in the temple known as El Castillo. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Mexican army put down the rebellion, although worship of the cross continued at Tulum’s Castillo. Archaeological expeditions began then, and by the mid-1930s the Mexican government had taken charge of the site for investigation, conservation, and tourist visits.

Quintana Roo · Mexico