For the first time, archaeologists identify a Mayan slave ship

The remains have spoken.

In Mexico, archaeologists have identified a wreck found off the Yucatán Peninsula as a slave ship, according to CNN.

According to the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology (INAH), this is the first boat intended to transport Mayan slaves to be authenticated.

Dubbed “

”, this steamboat was discovered by archaeologists in the Gulf of Mexico, two nautical miles from Sisal, in 2017. Three years of research were needed to trace the history of the ship.

One of the paddle wheels found off Sisal.

Helena Barba / INAH

Between 25 and 30 slaves per month

From 1855 to 1861, "

" was used to transport to Cuba between 25 and 30 Mayans captured illegally.

Once on the island, they were forced to work in the sugar cane fields.

"

" said Helena Barba Meinecke, archaeologist at INAH, in a statement.

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The boat was wrecked at sea on September 19, 1861 while en route to Cuba.

This evidence shows that slavery continued despite its abolition in 1829 in Mexico, and the publication that year of a decree prohibiting the kidnapping of the Mayans.

"

Important discovery

"

"

," INAH said in the statement.

”.

A lithograph representing "La Union" and dating from 1837. Helena Barba / INAH

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Archaeologists authenticated the ship with its boilers, which exploded and started a fire on board, and with a properly preserved piece of wooden hull.

They also found other remains, including glass fragments from bottles, ceramic objects and eight copper cutlery used by first class passengers.

The accident claimed the lives of half of the 80 crew members, and 60 passengers on board.

It's hard to say how many Mayan slaves died, as they were listed as goods, not passengers.