Imagine a battle not fought with swords but with petitions and protests. This is the story of Museo de Sitio Arqueológico Hueytlilatl. This museum stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the people of Los Reyes. It also shows their fight to preserve their cultural heritage.
The Museo de Sitio Arqueológico Hueytlilatl isn’t just a building. It is a symbol of a community’s identity. The museum holds vestiges of a pre-Hispanic hydraulic system. This includes the Hueytlilatl spring. Hueytlilatl is a Nahuatl word meaning “in the great dark water.” There are also stairways that may have belonged to a temple. Human burials were found during archaeological work.
Built in 2003 the Museo de Sitio Arqueológico Hueytlilatl should be a source of pride. It is registered as an archaeological site by the National Institute of Anthropology and History. However the museum’s administration has been a point of contention. The community has long sought to manage it themselves.
The museum faced neglect. This spurred the community to demand control over it. They envisioned it as a community-run space. The city government was aware of the issue.
In the past the museum suffered flooding. This prompted calls for urgent measures to protect its heritage.
In September 2023 community members took control of the Museo de Sitio Arqueológico Hueytlilatl. They did this to prevent the removal of its bibliographic collection. The community put up notices declaring their intentions. They wanted to prevent the plundering of their cultural rights. Their aim was for the community to manage its cultural heritage.
According to community members the museum was shut down without their consent. They say some of the donated furniture was almost seized. The community claims the mobiliario belongs to them.
The Museo de Sitio Arqueológico Hueytlilatl is the only archaeological vestige of the pre-Hispanic hydraulic system. This system was used during the colonial period.
The community is demanding the return of this heritage. They are also asking for the museum to be opened.
The community wants authorities to conduct an inventory. They also seek a structural and health review of the Museo de Sitio Arqueológico Hueytlilatl. The community has been in control since September 2023. This was to prevent the removal of its books. The building suffered flood damage. This damaged part of the collection.
The community seeks to end the city’s administration of the site. They want it given to the town. The Museo de Sitio Arqueológico de Los Reyes Hueytitlatl contains the base of a temple and ceramic objects. It also has remains of the pre-Hispanic hydraulic system. This was the Hueytlilatl spring.
The Museo de Sitio Arqueológico Hueytlilatl remains closed. It stands as a symbol of a community’s determination. The community is determined to protect its past and manage its future.