Conch Bar Caves
| Conch Bar Caves | |||
| Turks and Caicos Islands | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Caicos | |||
| Co-ordinates: | 21°49’34"N, 71°47’28"W | ||
| Length: | 1.5 miles | ||
The Conch Bar Caves, located on Middle Caicos, is the largest above-ground cave system in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and larger than anything found in the neighbouring Bahamas.[1] The caves are within the wider Conch Bar Caves National Park, which is in the care of the Turks and Caicos National Trust.
The caves are to be found near their namesake village of Conch Bar.
This park protects a mile and a half of underground caverns; one of the largest cave systems in the Caribbean region. It is a karst cave system with specialized cave fauna and flora including colonies of bats, and crustaceans and isopods. Some chambers include small tidal lagoons. The entire cave system hosts some impressive stalactites and stalagmites and other cave features. The above ground area supports rare plant and animal populations.
The caves have significant human history from the pre-Columbian past to the recent colonial times.
The wider heritage site in the care of the Trust consists of the Conch Bar Cave System itself and the above ground land that covers and surrounds it. The area includes Village Hill and several nearby ponds.
History
In the 1880s, the caves were mined for guano, which was exported as fertilizer. Many markings and etchings have been left by miners in the caves, many with names and dates. It was during this time of excavation that a number of Lucayan artefacts were discovered within the cave system.
Outside links
- Conch Bar Caves: Turks and Caicos National Trust
- Conch Bar Caves - Visit Turks and Caicos Islands