Acahualinca traces, ancient human presence in Nicaragua
Nicaraguan construction workers discovered in the 19th century the oldest evidence of human presence in that country: Acahualinca traces, hope to be declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Haul of 1200-year-old statues unearthed
1. Archaeological team excavating at site where statues were found
2. Buried statues
3. Archaeologist Ramiro Garcia Vazquez from National Museum around area of discovery
4. Excavation work at El Salto
5. Pieces found in ground
6. Excavation work in progress
7. Archaeologist Ramiro Garcia Vazquez entering storage area
8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish): Ramiro Garcia Vazquez, Archaeologist, National Museum of Nicaragua:
This is the most important archaeological find in Nicaragua of antique statues. It is also (the finding) the first to be discovered in its original position, so it has high scientific value. This will allow us to study the find properly.
9. SOUNDBITE (Spanish): Ramiro Garcia Vazquez, Archaeologist, National Museum of Nicaragua:
Evidence from the statues shows them to be dated from some 1200 years ago.
10. SOUNDBITE (Spanish): Ramiro Garcia Vazquez, Archaeologist, National Museum of Nicaragua:
In the context of other finds from the general region, Nicaragua is the least studied in terms of archaeology, even considering that its treasures are many and its culture so incredibly rich.
11. Various of Vazquez talking over pictures of maps and unearthed statues
12. Various of newly-cleaned recovered statues
STORYLINE:
A large cache of tribal statues dating back 1200 years has been discovered by a team of archaeologists in the jungles of Nicaragua.
The archaeologists say the 17 pieces were found near the hamlet of El Salto, in the municipality of Juigalpa, some 135 kilometres (84 miles) from the capital city of Managua.
The pieces, male and female figures, are about a metre high and are decorated with collars.
It is believed the area was once a ceremonial centre.
Six of the statues are intact, but the others have all suffered considerable decay said archaeologist Ramiro Garcia, from the Department of Anthropological Studies at the National Museum of Nicaragua.
The excavation was performed at the end of June after a construction company digging for building material came upon the artefacts.
After more digging, the archaeologists found the human-form statues organised in a semicircle.
Officials from the National Museum say once studies have been completed on the figures, they will be displayed at the Gregorio Aguilar Barea archaeological Museum in Juigalpa.
Although not generally considered part of the ancient Maya Empire, recent excavation is revealing Nicaragua has an increasingly intriguing pre-Colombian history.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
ChocoMuseo Granada, Nicaragua - Virtual tour
ChocoMuseo is the brand new Cacao and Chocolate Museum in the beautiful colonial city of Granada, Nicaragua. If you are chocoholic or want to learn about the Aztec's food of the gods, please visit us and taste our organic home made chocolate. Please find all the information you need on our website : ChocoMuseo,com