Category of Astronomical Heritage: tangible immovable
Caguana, Puerto Rico
Presentation
Geographical position
Barrio Caguana, Utuado, Puerto Rico
Location
Latitude 18° 17′ 41″ N, longitude 66° 46′ 52″ W. Elevation 310m above mean sea level.
General description
The Caguana Ceremonial Ball Courts Site is considered one of the most important archeological sites in the West Indies.
Brief inventory
Fig. 1. General plan of Caguana. Figure © Angel Rodriguez
Approximately 13 ball courts (bateyes) have been identified. Monoliths and petroglyphs carved by the Taínos can be seen among the rocks and stones. Some of the monoliths weigh over a tonne, and were most likely brought from the Tanama River located adjacent to the site.
History
Studies estimate that the site is over 700 years old, built by the Taíno in around 1270 AD.
Cultural and symbolic dimension
Fig. 2. The view from Plaza C towards Polaris. Figure © Angel Rodriguez
Fig. 3. A row of stones aligned upon the equinoxes with reliefs displaying human figures. Figure © Angel Rodriguez
The plan of the site indicates that the plazas were aligned according to specific astronomical events. The site evidently functioned as a place to observe or predict astronomical events. There are symbolic representations of astronomical objects as rock engravings on rock slabs. The cultural landscape surrounding the site (and particularly its topography of mountains and rivers) represents the cosmovision of the builders.
Authenticity and integrity
The site was found in situ with all the plazas in their original context. Furthermore, a plan of the site was made to help in the reconstruction.
Documentation and archives
The archaeostronomical documentation of the site is mainly related to (i) the social use of astronomy—ritual and ceremonies during astronomical events; and (ii) art and decoration represented on the rock engravings.
Management and use
Present use
The site is open to visitors as an interpretative park.
State of conservation
Many of the ball courts have been restored to their original state.
Protection
The National Park Service has placed the Caguana site on the National Register of Historic Places, and designated it as a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a monument protected under law.
Context and environment
The site is located near to the Cemí Mountain (Montaña Cemí) which was believed by the Taínos to be the home of the gods. This is the reason they built the ball courts in this area.
Archaeological / historical / heritage research
Current research related to astronomy at the site focuses on: (i) its use for astronomical observations; (ii) symbolic representations (rock art).
Management, interpretation and outreach
The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture manages and maintains the site as a park called the Caguana Indigenous Ceremonial Center (Centro Ceremonial Indígena de Caguana). The park includes a small museum containing Taíno artifacts, archaeological exhibits and a botanical garden featuring the plants the Taínos harvested for food, such as sweet potatoes, cassava, corn, and yautía. Many of the trees used by the Taínos to construct their homes (bohíos), such as mahogany and ceiba can be seen throughout the park.
