"The project in question does not damage the conservation of archaeological remains, nor the integrity, environmental or cultural values of the archaeological zone," according to the report by the Mexico chapter of Icomos.

The report did recommend several measures — including the use of nonreflective roofing materials, perimeter walls and trees, to further hide Wal-Mart's massive Bodega Aurrera store, which would operate under the name of a Mexican chain owned by Wal-Mart.

But the council, an oversight body that helps monitor U.N. World Heritage Sites such as Teotihuacan, denied claims that the store would ruin the view from the top of the pyramids, nearly a mile away.

Mexican authorities "have set a series of conditions so that the store will not affect the view from the archaeological site," the report said.

But Icomos also criticized local officials in San Juan Teotihuacan, the town that appeared in the 17th century next to the ruins, for rushing to grant initial building permits without consulting archeologists. But it described the scant remains found on the building site — a small stone platform — as relatively unimportant, "modest ... and extremely decayed," and recommended they be reburied to prevent further deterioration.

Wal-Mart, Mexico's largest retailer, was pleased at the news after weeks of sometimes threatening protests at the site.

Opponents were livid.

"What might this mean? Perhaps they can build a strip club at the Holy Sepulcher, a McDonald's at the ruins of Montealban, or a Hard Rock Cafe next to Pyramids of Egypt," wrote columnist Javier Aranda, referring, respectively, to the site where Jesus was buried and to another famous Mexican ruin.

Officials of Mexico state, where the ancient ruins are located, had initially hinted they might seek an alternate site for the store.

But they said there was no way to stop it, because the company had all the necessary permits — even though the firm initially started construction without a government-mandated archaeologist.