The specifics of that engagement — what consultations took place, with which communities, and how community input shaped the research design or the interpretation of findings — are not detailed extensively in the published study, but the acknowledgment of community relationships in the research is significant.

The legal and regulatory context for archaeological research in Mexico — where Chichén Itzá is located, and where the remains and their associated materials are held — involves the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH), the federal institution responsible for the management and protection of Mexico’s archaeological heritage.

Research on skeletal remains from Mexican archaeological sites proceeds within the framework of Mexican heritage law and INAH’s regulations.

The ethical landscape for ancient genomics research on Indigenous human remains has evolved considerably in recent years, influenced by both the growing sophistication of the science and the increasing assertiveness of Indigenous communities in demanding meaningful participation in decisions about their ancestors’ remains.