In 1972, Mexico enacted the Ley Federal Sobre Monumentos y Zonas Arqueológicas, Artísticas e Históricas (Federal Law over Monuments and Archeological, Artistic and Historic Sites) that put all the nation's pre-Columbian monuments, including those at Chichen Itza, under federal ownership.There were now hundreds, if not thousands, of visitors every year to Chichen Itza, and more were expected with the development of the Cancún resort area to the east.
Ring warsa 1972, Meksiko ngukuhang Ley Federal Sobre Monumentos y Zonas Arqueológicas, Artisticas e Históricas (Undang-undang Federal majeng Monumen miwah Situs Arkeologi, Seni, lan Bersejarah) sané ngagenahang monumen nasional pra-Columbus sami rumasuk sané magenah ring Chichen Itza ring sor duwen federal.