Holy Spirit Grotto
The cave itself is located in a heavily forested volcanic landscape two kilometers north of Corinto, and is approximately 60 meters wide, 30 meters in height, and 20 meters deep, with multiple chambers. There are around 200 pictographs within the cave, each of varying colors, including red, ochre, black, green, yellow, and white. The size of each painting varies greatly. Some of the human figures can be up to 100 cm in height, although most are only around 30 cm. General symbols ranged from 4 to 50 cm in height. To see a variety of images taken from the cave, please proceed to the referenced Bradshaw Foundation page.
Due to its location in an area of archaeological and anthropological interest, there is a great desire to develop it as a cultural center. Two large holes can be seen in an overhanging cliff, which could possibly have been used for astrological purposes. There are also standing stones with cupules, as well as what could possibly be the remnants of an extinct lake or river system. An ancient Spanish road also traverses the outcrop, "leaving deep cartwheel parallel tracks, indicating travel and trade with Honduras to the north." The cave is 20 meters by 60 meters in size, with several different chambers, and 30 meters in height. This would be sufficient space to support the dwelling of 200 people at a ratio of about 60 square feet per person.
Notes
- ^ Description by archaeologist Karen Bruhns (in Spanish)
- ^ News article at El Diario de Hoy (in Spanish)
- ^ PDF on Caves and Mesoamerican Cultures
- ^ News article at El Diario de Hoy (in Spanish)
- ^ Article Archived 2013-12-28 at the Wayback Machine by Rene Figueroa
- ^ Archive by the Bradshaw Foundation
- ^ Archive by the Bradshaw Foundation