Heritage or heresy: The public interpretation of archaeology and culture in the Maya Riviera

From Mexican archaeology's earliest beginnings, government officials and entrepreneurs have tapped into a keen public interest, especially in the more impressive archaeological sites. The research for this dissertation explores the complex scenarios underlying heritage tourism and how the ancient and modern Maya are being presented to the public along the stretch of the Caribbean coastline called the Maya Riviera. Additionally, this research delves into how these representations are affecting contemporary Maya identity, and the resultant economic and patrimonial/cultural implications.Methodology combined a wide-ranging literature review, in-depth ethnographic interviews and survey questionnaires to better understand the underlying sociopolitical and economic issues related to archaeological tourism. Extensive literature reviews provided the overall background leading up to the current circumstances, including anthropological theories on tourism, the history of Mexican archaeology, relevant aspects of the prehistory and history of Quintana Roo, influential ethnographic studies of modern Yucatec Maya communities, and the academic tenets on the public interpretation of archaeology and culture, as well as on cultural identity and patrimony.Over the last several years, two key informants proved pivotal, as did numerous in-depth interviews with a variety of informants from Maya residents, tourism officials, and anthropologists and archaeologists working in the region. Equally important, surveys were given to visitors to archaeological sites and regional museums to gauge the effectiveness of existing strategies for public interpretation. Furthermore, topical development issues in the region were investigated to better understand their impact on the region.In summary, some regional archaeological sites are literally inundated with tourists on a daily basis, exemplifying the inherent dilemma where increasing tourism accelerates the deterioration of the site. On the other hand, strong visitor interest signifies that the sites have national and international significance and may protect them from other kinds of damage.Successful archaeological tourism requires some form of interpretation and representation for the tourist to then re-interpret through the filter of their own experience. This dissertation endeavors to provide a better understanding of the social and environmental influences of archaeological tourism, and finally, to offer alternatives for finding a balance between regional economic opportunity and sustainability of archaeological sites.