Knowledge (XXG)

Caguana Ceremonial Ball Courts Site

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The plan of the site and the positions of the ball courts indicate an alignment with specific astronomical events, and the site might have functioned as a place to observe and possibly predict astronomical events such as planetary and stellar transits, conjunctions and alignments. Numerous of the
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The site also contains the largest concentration of petroglyphs in the Antilles, most of which around found carved into the stone monoliths that form the bateyes or ball courts. Some of the most famous pictographs include a heron-like bird and
390:. The ICP acquired the site in 1965 and invested in the restoration of its archaeological resources and on interpretative infrastructure for visitors. The interpretative park and a small museum were first opened to visitors that same year. 1077: 1623: 1046: 1452: 1530: 1525: 1520: 1515: 1510: 1505: 1500: 1495: 1487: 1477: 1472: 1467: 1462: 1457: 1447: 1442: 1437: 1432: 1427: 1422: 1417: 1412: 1407: 1402: 1397: 1392: 1384: 1603: 1598: 1593: 1588: 1583: 1578: 1573: 1568: 1563: 1558: 1553: 1548: 1540: 1374: 1369: 1364: 1359: 1354: 1349: 1344: 1339: 1334: 1329: 1324: 1319: 1314: 1309: 1304: 1299: 1291: 1281: 1276: 1271: 1266: 1261: 1256: 1251: 1246: 1241: 1236: 1231: 1226: 1221: 1216: 1211: 1206: 1201: 1196: 1191: 1186: 1181: 1176: 1171: 1166: 1158: 598: 1747: 1070: 1671: 1661: 1086: 1063: 959: 370:(Spanish for "Indian corrals") by locals after the corral-like outlines of some of the ball courts. The first exploration and survey-works in the site were led by American anthropologist 393:
The museum remained closed from 2020 until june of 2024 when it reopened with a more thorough collection of more than 200 archaeological pieces. A digital version of the museum titled
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List of United States National Historic Landmarks in United States commonwealths and territories, associated states, and foreign states
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carved by the Taínos can be seen among the rocks and stones, some weighing over a ton, that were most likely brought from the
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El centro ceremonial de Caguana, Puerto Rico: Simbolismo iconográfico, cosmovisión y el poderío caciquil Taíno de Boriquén
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petroglyphs depict astronomical objects such as the moon, stars and planets. Although the site is not listed as a
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in 1914. The site has been under continuous study since the 1930s, at first by archaeologists from
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Properties of religious function on the National Register of Historic Places in Puerto Rico
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GOBIERNO DE PUERTO RICO, JUNTA DE PLANIFICACIÓN DE PUERTO RICO (December 7, 2022).
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Archaeological sites on the National Register of Historic Places in Puerto Rico
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Centro Ceremonial Indígena de Caguana, Utuado - Puerto Rican Cultural Institute
730: 575: 287: 155: 142: 655:"National Historic Landmark Nomination: Caguana Ceremonial Ball Courts Site" 315: 314:) have been identified and many have been restored to their original state. 1142: 749:"Parque Ceremonial Caguana - Puerto Rico - Explorador - Ferries del Caribe" 471: 772: 770: 768: 295: 435:). It was listed on the National Register in 1992 and designated a U.S. 463: 447: 355: 805:"Puerto Rico: misterios de sitio arqueológico en vía de descifrarse" 599:
National Register of Historic Places listings in central Puerto Rico
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National Historic Landmark description by the National Park Service
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featuring some of the plants the Taínos harvested for food such as
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The site of the modern archaeological site was originally known as
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The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture still manages the site as a
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Ball Court/Plaza Sites of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
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The Tainos: Rise and Decline of the People Who Greeted Columbus
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was launched in 2024 by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture.
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Sports venues on the National Register of Historic Places
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from the Puerto Rico State Historic Preservation Office
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US National Register of Historic Places in Puerto Rico
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History of the National Register of Historic Places
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Parque Ceremonial Indigena de Caguana Official Page
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National Park Service site description for visitors
566:Traditional Bohio like the ones built by the Taino 354:features are well-documented and recognized by the 244: 236: 228: 223: 212: 199: 187: 179: 171: 134: 115: 837:(New ed.). New Haven: Yale University Press. 830: 441:Puerto Rico Register of Historic Sites and Zones 494:Scenes at Caguana Ceremonial Ball Courts Site: 16:Indigenous historic site in Utuado, Puerto Rico 294:courts to be over 700 years old, built by the 1071: 414: 8: 282:. The site is known for its well-preserved 107:Location of the Caguana Site in Puerto Rico 1733:13th-century establishments in Puerto Rico 1708:National Historic Landmarks in Puerto Rico 1667: 1154: 1078: 1064: 1056: 682:National Historic Landmark summary listing 67: 358:Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative. 38:U.S. National Register of Historic Places 672: 670: 648: 646: 290:-carved monoliths. Studies estimate the 1015:Additional National Park Service Images 885:"Centro Ceremonial Indígena de Caguana" 684:. National Park Service. Archived from 615: 496: 1718:Native American museums in Puerto Rico 627:"National Register Information System" 621: 619: 486:can also be seen throughout the park. 454:, archaeological exhibits and a small 21: 1753:Archaeological museums in Puerto Rico 933:swissinfo.ch, S. W. I. (2024-06-04). 416:Parque Ceremonial Indígena de Caguana 7: 799: 797: 704: 702: 632:National Register of Historic Places 425:National Register of Historic Places 411:Caguana Indigenous Ceremonial Center 56:Puerto Rico Historic Sites and Zones 662:Accompanying four photos, from 1991 653:Mark R. Barnes (January 25, 1993). 518:Caguana Ceremonial Ball Courts Site 439:in 1993. It was also listed on the 256:Caguana Ceremonial Ball Courts Site 101:Caguana Ceremonial Ball Courts Site 30:Caguana Ceremonial Ball Courts Site 1713:Pre-Columbian archaeological sites 604:Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center 14: 811:(in European Spanish). 2024-06-24 384:Institute of Puerto Rican Culture 1676: 1666: 1657: 1656: 1141: 1134: 578: 559: 547: 535: 523: 511: 499: 93: 86: 446:The park also includes a small 47:U.S. National Historic Landmark 1723:Museums in Utuado, Puerto Rico 326:located adjacent to the site. 214: 201: 1: 782:www3.astronomicalheritage.net 1743:Sports venues in Puerto Rico 1010:National Park Service Images 19:United States historic place 1634:National Historic Landmarks 76:ball courts at Caguana Site 1769: 1728:Petroglyphs in Puerto Rico 1639:National Natural Landmarks 506:Stones and mountain behind 437:National Historic Landmark 429:National Historic Landmark 1652: 1132: 427:, and designated it as a 200:NRHP reference  81: 66: 62: 53: 44: 35: 28: 24: 966:(in Spanish). 2023-10-06 858:Oliver, José R. (1998). 753:www.ferriesdelcaribe.com 657:. National Park Service. 395:Museo Digital de Caguana 156:18.294870°N 66.780974°W 1106:Keeper of the Register 914:pueblosoriginarios.com 829:Rouse, Irving (1993). 554:Faces drawn on stones 415: 368:Corrales de los Indios 284:ceremonial ball courts 258:(often referred to as 1121:National Park Service 1101:Contributing property 941:(in European Spanish) 712:(in European Spanish) 637:National Park Service 423:has placed it on the 421:National Park Service 245:Designated RNSZH 175:7 acres (2.8 ha) 161:18.294870; -66.780974 542:Bird drawn on stone 382:, and later by the 352:archaeoastronomical 348:world heritage site 264:archaeological site 237:Designated NHL 152: /  1030:2013-06-19 at the 586:Puerto Rico portal 219:2000-(RC)-22-JP-SH 1690: 1689: 1612: 1611: 1111:Historic district 883:ILAM, Fundacion. 639:. April 15, 2008. 450:containing Taíno 306:Approximately 13 252: 251: 232:December 17, 1992 224:Significant dates 1760: 1680: 1670: 1669: 1660: 1659: 1155: 1145: 1138: 1137: 1080: 1073: 1066: 1057: 1052: 997: 996: 990: 981: 975: 974: 972: 971: 956: 950: 949: 947: 946: 939:SWI swissinfo.ch 930: 924: 923: 921: 920: 906: 900: 899: 897: 896: 880: 874: 873: 855: 849: 848: 836: 826: 820: 819: 817: 816: 801: 792: 791: 789: 788: 774: 763: 762: 760: 759: 745: 739: 738: 727: 721: 720: 718: 717: 706: 697: 696: 694: 693: 674: 665: 658: 650: 641: 640: 623: 588: 583: 582: 581: 563: 551: 539: 527: 515: 503: 456:botanical garden 431:(under the name 418: 372:John Alden Mason 298:around 1270 AD. 240:November 4, 1993 216: 203: 167: 166: 164: 163: 162: 157: 153: 150: 149: 148: 145: 97: 96: 90: 71: 22: 1768: 1767: 1763: 1762: 1761: 1759: 1758: 1757: 1693: 1692: 1691: 1686: 1648: 1644:Protected areas 1608: 1535: 1482: 1379: 1286: 1151:Lists by region 1146: 1140: 1139: 1135: 1130: 1089: 1084: 1050: 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520: 517: 510: 508: 505: 498: 491: 488: 460:sweet potatoes 402: 399: 386:(ICP) and Dr. 363: 360: 303: 300: 250: 249: 248:March 15, 2001 246: 242: 241: 238: 234: 233: 230: 226: 225: 221: 220: 217: 210: 209: 204: 197: 196: 191: 185: 184: 183:Around 1270 AD 181: 177: 176: 173: 169: 168: 136: 132: 131: 117: 113: 112: 106: 100: 99: 92: 91: 85: 84: 83: 82: 79: 78: 72: 64: 63: 60: 59: 54: 51: 50: 45: 42: 41: 36: 33: 32: 29: 26: 25: 18: 15: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1765: 1754: 1751: 1749: 1746: 1744: 1741: 1739: 1736: 1734: 1731: 1729: 1726: 1724: 1721: 1719: 1716: 1714: 1711: 1709: 1706: 1704: 1701: 1700: 1698: 1683: 1679: 1675: 1673: 1665: 1663: 1655: 1654: 1651: 1645: 1642: 1640: 1637: 1635: 1632: 1630: 1627: 1625: 1622: 1621: 1619: 1615: 1605: 1602: 1600: 1599:Sabana Grande 1597: 1595: 1592: 1590: 1587: 1585: 1582: 1580: 1577: 1575: 1572: 1570: 1567: 1565: 1562: 1560: 1557: 1555: 1552: 1550: 1547: 1546: 1544: 1542: 1538: 1532: 1529: 1527: 1524: 1522: 1519: 1517: 1514: 1512: 1509: 1507: 1504: 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1062: 1061: 1058: 1048: 1047:Summary sheet 1045: 1043: 1040: 1038: 1035: 1033: 1029: 1026: 1023: 1021: 1018: 1016: 1013: 1011: 1008: 1007: 1003: 994: 987: 980: 977: 965: 961: 955: 952: 940: 936: 929: 926: 915: 911: 905: 902: 890: 886: 879: 876: 871: 869:9780860549154 865: 861: 854: 851: 846: 840: 835: 834: 825: 822: 810: 806: 800: 798: 794: 783: 779: 773: 771: 769: 765: 754: 750: 744: 741: 736: 732: 726: 723: 711: 705: 703: 699: 688:on 2007-12-06 687: 683: 679: 673: 671: 667: 664: 663: 656: 649: 647: 643: 638: 634: 633: 628: 622: 620: 616: 609: 605: 602: 600: 597: 595: 592: 591: 587: 576: 571: 562: 557: 550: 545: 538: 533: 526: 521: 514: 509: 502: 497: 495: 489: 487: 485: 481: 477: 473: 469: 465: 461: 457: 453: 449: 444: 442: 438: 434: 430: 426: 422: 417: 412: 408: 400: 398: 396: 391: 389: 385: 381: 377: 373: 369: 361: 359: 357: 353: 349: 343: 341: 337: 333: 327: 325: 321: 317: 313: 309: 301: 299: 297: 293: 289: 285: 281: 278:sites in the 277: 276:Pre-Columbian 273: 269: 265: 261: 257: 247: 243: 239: 235: 231: 229:Added to NRHP 227: 222: 218: 211: 208: 205: 198: 195: 192: 190: 186: 182: 178: 174: 170: 165: 137: 133: 130: 126: 121: 118: 114: 89: 80: 75: 70: 65: 61: 57: 52: 48: 43: 39: 34: 27: 23: 1526:Santa Isabel 1448:Quebradillas 1182:Barranquitas 1172:Aguas Buenas 1051:(in Spanish) 992: 979: 968:. Retrieved 964:El Nuevo Día 963: 954: 943:. Retrieved 938: 928: 917:. Retrieved 913: 904: 893:. Retrieved 891:(in Spanish) 888: 878: 859: 853: 832: 824: 813:. Retrieved 809:EFE Noticias 808: 785:. Retrieved 781: 756:. Retrieved 752: 743: 734: 725: 714:. Retrieved 690:. Retrieved 686:the original 681: 661: 630: 493: 475: 445: 433:Caguana Site 432: 410: 404: 401:Designations 394: 392: 367: 365: 344: 331: 328: 324:Tanama River 311: 310:and plazas ( 305: 291: 260:Caguana Site 259: 255: 253: 1682:NRHP portal 1629:Lighthouses 1617:Other lists 1574:Hormigueros 1398:Barceloneta 1335:Las Piedras 1267:San Lorenzo 889:ilamdir.org 735:www.nps.gov 478:), such as 380:Irvin Rouse 338:or goddess 320:petroglyphs 308:ball courts 280:West Indies 272:Puerto Rico 266:located in 213:RNSZH  159: / 135:Coordinates 129:Puerto Rico 120:Highway 111 1697:Categories 1604:San Germán 1506:Juana Díaz 1501:Guayanilla 1365:Río Grande 1242:Las Marías 970:2024-07-08 945:2024-07-08 919:2021-11-29 895:2024-07-08 815:2024-07-08 787:2021-11-29 758:2024-07-08 716:2024-07-08 692:2007-06-28 610:References 530:Ball Court 288:petroglyph 147:66°46′52″W 144:18°17′42″N 1564:Cabo Rojo 1554:Aguadilla 1478:Vega Baja 1473:Vega Alta 1305:Canóvanas 1257:Naranjito 993:jp.pr.gov 452:artifacts 443:in 2001. 316:Monoliths 122:, Km 12.3 1662:Category 1584:Mayagüez 1511:Peñuelas 1488:Southern 1468:Toa Baja 1463:Toa Alta 1453:San Juan 1428:Guaynabo 1385:Northern 1360:Patillas 1345:Luquillo 1310:Carolina 1282:Villalba 1262:Orocovis 1177:Aibonito 1167:Adjuntas 1028:Archived 572:See also 480:mahogany 378:such as 332:atabeyra 302:Overview 262:) is an 207:92001671 116:Location 1624:Bridges 1569:Guánica 1541:Western 1521:Salinas 1496:Guayama 1438:Isabela 1433:Hatillo 1423:Florida 1403:Bayamón 1393:Arecibo 1375:Yabucoa 1370:Vieques 1355:Naguabo 1350:Maunabo 1330:Humacao 1325:Fajardo 1320:Culebra 1292:Eastern 1252:Morovis 1247:Maricao 1217:Corozal 1212:Comerío 1159:Central 490:Gallery 464:cassava 419:). The 362:History 312:bateyes 292:in-situ 1594:Rincón 1559:Añasco 1549:Aguada 1443:Manatí 1418:Dorado 1413:Cataño 1300:Arroyo 1277:Utuado 1232:Juncos 1227:Jayuya 1222:Gurabo 1197:Ciales 1187:Caguas 1094:Topics 866:  841:  476:bohíos 472:yautía 470:, and 448:museum 356:UNESCO 350:, its 340:Atabey 125:Utuado 1579:Lajas 1531:Yauco 1516:Ponce 1408:Camuy 1340:Loíza 1315:Ceiba 1237:Lares 1207:Coamo 1202:Cidra 1192:Cayey 989:(PDF) 484:ceiba 296:Taíno 180:Built 74:Taíno 1672:List 1589:Moca 864:ISBN 839:ISBN 659:and 482:and 468:corn 407:park 336:zemi 318:and 286:and 254:The 172:Area 270:in 215:No. 202:No. 189:MPS 1699:: 991:. 962:. 937:. 912:. 887:. 862:. 807:. 796:^ 780:. 767:^ 751:. 733:. 701:^ 680:. 669:^ 645:^ 635:. 629:. 618:^ 466:, 462:, 342:. 127:, 1079:e 1072:t 1065:v 995:. 973:. 948:. 922:. 898:. 872:. 847:. 818:. 790:. 761:. 737:. 719:. 695:. 413:(

Index

U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Puerto Rico Historic Sites and Zones

Taíno
Locator map
Highway 111
Utuado
Puerto Rico
18°17′42″N 66°46′52″W / 18.294870°N 66.780974°W / 18.294870; -66.780974
MPS
Ball Court/Plaza Sites of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
92001671
archaeological site
Caguana, Utuado
Puerto Rico
Pre-Columbian
West Indies
ceremonial ball courts
petroglyph
Taíno
ball courts
Monoliths
petroglyphs
Tanama River
zemi
Atabey
world heritage site
archaeoastronomical
UNESCO

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