More unmarked graves … good
Mexican experts have discovered seven new Mayan archaeological sites and an “important concentration” of pre-Columbian graves in the southeastern state of Yucatan, the National Institute of Anthropology and History, or INAH, said.
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The new sites were found in an area covering roughly 1,000 hectares (2,470 acres) and are known as Oxmul, Polok Ceh, Cuzam, Chan Much, Nichak, Tzakan and Chankiuik.
According to INAH, Oxmul is an especially important archaeological site where 75 pre-Columbian graves were found containing the remains of Indians buried with polychromatic vessels and other ceramic pieces “never before seen in this Maya region.”
Archaeologist Luis Raul Pantoja Diaz, coordinator of the Merida Region Archaeological Project, said in a statement that these finds of “earlier, well-organized populations with an elaborate social stratification” have altered the previous chronology of the ancient Maya culture.
For example, archaeologists have corroborated their hypothesis that Yucatan’s northern region had been populated as far back as 400 B.C. – rather than only starting in the Classic period (200 A.D.-600 A.D.) as had been previously believed.
“These are areas of the municipality of Merida that were thought not to have been populated by such remote pre-Columbian groups because these are lands that weren’t productive,” Pantoja said.
Pantoja said archaeologists have found architectural structures made from materials that show evidence of “intense social and economic development.”
“We now know that in the space where Merida now sits there’s an early architecture, ceramic pieces, lithic fragments and human graves, basic elements that will serve to complete the history of this region of northern Yucatan,” he said.
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The Mex Files 
Good thing they are keeping the artifacts “back at the office.” Some non-Yucatecans think nothing of bulldozing centuries- or milennia-old Mayan sites to use “for pasture.”
http://www.antiquitylives.com/2010/12/preclassic-mayan-ruins-illegally.html
He claims “he didn’t realize” it was an archeological site, despite Mayan arches over 3 meters high. And the irony is, he is a member and founder of a group of Monterrey TEC alumni trying to “fight apathy” and “encourage good citizenship.” iow: the irony runs deep, the capacity to hold cognitive dissonance runs high.
More reading about our, ahem, hero, Maldonado:
EXATEC and “good intentions”: http://www.yucatan.com.mx/20110516/nota-9/43898-intentan-traer-el-tec-de-monterrey-.htm
“…cannot be indifferent to inequalities and injustices in our society… we businessmen can be actors of change. We can do good(works) with social responsibility. (we) should act with transparency and be committed to (the) citizens”
Meanwhile, bulldozing priceless ruins, by a member and ex-president of this group:
http://www.yucatannoticias.com/2011/02/mas-pruebas-contra-empresario-que-arraso-con-zona-arqueologica-multa-de-tres-millones-y-denuncia-federal-en-la-pgr/
http://www.yucatanahora.com/noticias/inah-gestiona-recursos-para-rescatar-zona-arqueologica-devastada-10803/
That last part reads:
Jeez, fellers, I didn’t know it was ruins and all. Stones just naturally stack themselves three meters high, with formed arches, perfect square bases, and columns with carvings. It wasn’t like I KNEW they were ruins when I hired BULLDOZERS to smash it all to bits and pile it up for a pasture wall for my cattle.
The site was believed to be 2300 years old. Field workers reported that countless articles uncovered during the bulldozing of mounds, buildings and temples were looted – pottery, carved stones, artifacts. Nearly 1 square kilometer of the city center was bulldozed, including seven structures, two altars, raised platforms…. (all translated from the links provided)
And there are many sources:
http://www.revista-contacto.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7088:inah-ratifica-denuncia-por-dano-en-yucatan&catid=112:cultura&Itemid=587
http://www.revistaemet.net/new_emet/noticia.php?id=10914
English: http://www.theyucatantimes.com/2011/02/the-complete-destruction-of-archeological-site-15-case-continues/
My understanding is that Dzibilchaltun dates to 600BC as an established town or city, I read that fact or theory many years ago. It is always clumped into the early Mayan sites in the text books. I was a little taken aback at the news release that they were setting back the clock.