Print

Email story

Comment

Letter to the editor

Ancient site found

The find in Puerto Rico predates Columbus and is one of the best-preserved, experts say.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - U.S. and Puerto Rican archaeologists say they have found the best-preserved pre-Columbian site in the Caribbean, which could shed light on virtually every aspect of Indian life in the region, from sacred rituals to eating habits.

The archaeologists believe the site in southern Puerto Rico may have belonged to the Taino or pre-Taino people that inhabited the island before European colonization, although other tribes are a possibility.

The site has stones etched with ancient petroglyphs that form a large plaza measuring about 130 feet by 160 feet, which could have been used for ball games or ceremonial rites, said Aida Belen Rivera, chief of the Puerto Rican Historic Conservation office.

The petroglyphs include a carving of a human figure with masculine features and frog legs.

The plaza may contain other artifacts dating from A.D. 600 to 1500, including piles of refuse from daily life, Rivera said.

"I have visited many sites and have never seen a plaza of that magnitude and of those dimensions and with such elaborate petroglyphs," said Miguel Rodriguez, a member of the government's archaeological council. He is not involved in the excavation project.

Archeologists have known since 1985 that the area contained indigenous artifacts. But their extent and significance only became clear this month when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began work on removing them so the land could be used for a dam project. The site will be preserved.

[Last modified October 29, 2007, 00:57:50]