[Aztlan] No. of visitors to Calakmul?

[Dennis J. Buster]

Hello--

I'm new to the list and just returned from a visit to the Mayan ruins in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve.

I'm trying to find a figure for the number of visitors to the ruins in 2008 (or 2007 would do if later figures aren't available). Can anyone help? Trying to get anyone at INAH to answer e-mail is pretty futile, and I've been all over the Web trying to find a number. Based on the number of people I saw there during an eight-hour visit, I'm thinking that an average of 50 people a day (15,000-20,000 a year) would probably be far higher than reality, but that's only a guess. If you have a figure and could tell me the source, that would be great.

Also, I visited the three small restored temples on the north side of the main area of the ruins, the temples with the murals inside. I understand the murals have been restored, but, of course, the temple entrances are sealed with concrete. Does anyone know of any plans to create replicas of the murals on site or at Fort San Miguel museum in the city of Campeche or elsewhere?

And, lastly, does anyone have an e-mail address for Ramon Carrasco Vargas, the chief archaeologist for Calakmul?

Feel free to reply directly to me at dbuster at integraonline.com.

Thank you.

Dennis Buster