Hikers on Caribbean island of Montserrat find ancient stone carvings

[Judi Lynn]

Hikers on Caribbean island of Montserrat find ancient stone carvings

The petroglyphs – thought to be 1,000 to 1,500 years old – are the first known of in the British Overseas Territory: ‘They really add to Montserrat’s unique history’

Ryan Schuessler
@RyanSchuessler1
Friday 3 June 2016 06.00 EDT

Hikers out for a stroll on the Caribbean island of Montserrat have discovered ancient stone carvings that archaeologists believe could offer valuable insight into the island’s pre-colonial history.

The petroglyphs – which appear to depict geometric designs as well as beings of some kind – were carved into the side of a mossy boulder in the densely forested hills in the island’s north.

Petroglyphs left behind by the Caribbean’s indigenous peoples have been found throughout the region but until now had never been seen on Montserrat or nearby Antigua.

Locals stumbled across the carvings while hiking through the island’s densely forested hills in January, but officials delayed announcing the discovery until the petroglyphs’ authenticity could be confirmed by researchers.

More:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/03/montserrat-petroglyphs-ancient-stone-carvings-hikers

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[SunSeeker]

1. The fate of the indigenous people of the Caribbean was horrific at the hands of the Europeans.

So much of their culture is lost. I am glad they found these carvings. Hopefully they will add to our knowledge of these amazing people.

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. petroglyphs have been discovered in other Caribbean nations

While petroglyphs have been discovered in other Caribbean nations including Aruba, Belize and Puerto Rico, among others, none had previously been found on Montserrat. Amerindian groups are thought to have first arrived in the Caribbean between 6000 and 4000 B.C., roughly 8,000 years ago.

http://www.travelpulse.com/news/destinations/ancient-petroglyphs-discovered-on-montserrat.html