Tortuguero Monument
Photo: William Vroman, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Tortuguero Monument refers to a collection of carved stone monuments from the ancient Maya site of Tortuguero, located in the dense jungles of Tabasco, Mexico, near the better-known site of Palenque. Monument 6, the most famous of these inscriptions, stands as a relatively modest limestone slab bearing hieroglyphic text that has sparked intense debate far beyond its physical presence. The site itself was a small Maya center that flourished during the Classic Period, with several carved monuments documenting the reigns of local rulers. What visitors encounter today are weathered stone carvings emerging from tropical vegetation, bearing the intricate Maya script that has made this obscure site internationally famous. The monument measures approximately 1.5 meters in height and contains what epigraphers consider some of the most precisely dated Maya inscriptions ever discovered.
Timeline
Creation of Monument 6 with its reference to the 13th b'ak'tun ending
Peak occupation of Tortuguero site during Maya Classic Period
Archaeological documentation of Tortuguero monuments begins
Global attention peaks as Maya calendar 13th b'ak'tun ending arrives on December 21st
What the Show Claims
- ›Monument 6 contains the only pre-Columbian reference to December 21, 2012, interpreted as prophecy of extraterrestrial returnS04E01
- ›The inscription's mention of nine gods descending represents ancient aliens returning to EarthS04E01
- ›Maya calendar knowledge demonstrates extraterrestrial influence in ancient timekeeping systemsS04E01
Theorist Takes
“If the truth is that the Mayans were in contact with extraterrestrial beings, and now their calendar is ending on December 21, 2012, this might be the return of the gods themselves, of the extraterrestrials coming back to Earth to the Mayans, as they promised.”
From the Transcripts
“The Tortuguero Monument, which is a site near Palenque... it's the only inscription in stone that mentions the 2012 end date of the calendar. And that talks about nine gods descending to Earth.”
What Archaeology Says
Archaeological work at Tortuguero has revealed a modest Maya center that produced some of the most precisely dated inscriptions in the Maya world. The site contains several carved monuments documenting local rulers and their achievements, with Monument 6 standing out for its unique chronological reference. Excavations have uncovered typical Maya architecture including residential platforms and ceremonial structures, though the site never reached the scale of nearby Palenque.
Epigraphers led by researchers such as David Stuart have carefully analyzed the Monument 6 inscription, determining it represents a standard Maya period-ending text rather than an apocalyptic prophecy. The text refers to Bolon Yokte' K'uh, a deity associated with creation, war, and the underworld in Maya theology. According to scholarly consensus, the inscription follows conventional Maya patterns of commemorating significant calendar dates and invoking protective deities.
The scientific understanding of Monument 6 places it within the broader context of Maya astronomical knowledge and religious practices. The Maya developed sophisticated calendar systems that tracked multiple interlocking cycles, with the 13th b'ak'tun representing the completion of a roughly 5,125-year cycle. Modern Maya communities generally view this date as a time of renewal rather than ending.
What remains genuinely debated among scholars is the precise translation of certain hieroglyphic elements and the full religious significance the inscription held for its original Maya audience. The monument's current condition makes some glyphs difficult to read with complete certainty, leaving room for ongoing epigraphic research and interpretation.
Mysteries & Fun Facts
Monument 6 is the only known pre-Columbian inscription to specifically reference the December 2012 calendar date that sparked global end-times speculation
The Tortuguero site name comes from the Spanish word for turtle, likely referencing the area's abundant turtle population
Despite its international fame for the 2012 reference, Monument 6 is actually quite small and easily overlooked among jungle vegetation
The Maya Long Count calendar system tracked over 1.8 million days from its starting point in 3114 BC to the 2012 completion
Planning a Visit
Tortuguero is generally accessible to visitors though it requires more effort to reach than major Maya sites like Palenque. The monuments are located in a relatively remote jungle setting that preserves much of their original atmospheric context. Visitors should be prepared for humid tropical conditions and basic site facilities.
Palenque, approximately 30 kilometers northeast
The dry season from December through April offers the most comfortable visiting conditions with lower humidity and minimal rainfall. Early morning visits help avoid both crowds and the intense midday heat typical of the Tabasco lowlands.
Related Sites
Palenque
Palenque lies nearby and represents the major Maya center that likely influenced Tortuguero's political and cultural development
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza features the famous Kukulkan pyramid with astronomical alignments that demonstrate Maya calendar sophistication
Calakmul
Calakmul was a powerful Maya superpower whose influence extended throughout the region including smaller centers like Tortuguero