Fountain Cavern
| Fountain Cavern | |
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| Location: | 18°15’3"N, 63°2’7"W |
| Information | |
| Website: | Anguilla NT: protected-areas |
Fountain Cavern is a natural limestone cave on the main island of Anguilla, carved by the water deep beneath the ground and bearing fascinating archaeological remains from the ancient inhabitants of the Leeward Islands. It is a famous attraction of the island, but not closed to the public.
The cave contains two freshwater pools long used by local people as a water source: it provided a vital source of fresh water even during periods of harshest drought, hence its name 'The Fountain'. Within, it is a natural habitat for bats and other species. It is deeper within the cave though, undiscovered until the later twentieth century, that its archaeological wonders are to be found.
Archaeology
In the twentieth century, archaeologists entered the cavern and found ancient carvings within the cavern 65 feet beneath the ground. They recorded pottery fragments and numerous carvings on the cave walls and its stalactites, from the days of the Arawak Indians. Several excavations at the site by archaeologists between 1986 and 2007 recovered artefacts and resulted in a complete mapping of the site, which is believed to have been a ceremonial centre.
The Arawak, or Taino, lived in Anguilla for many thousand years, and primarily used the cave as a source of fresh water.
Within the historical record the Arawak used shrines in ceremonial caves to induce rainfall in times of drought, often leaving sacred objects known as “zemis” behind and carrying other materials away for their spiritual power and their practical importance. At times, they buried their dead in caves, especially chiefs and other important leaders, though the Fountain Cavern was a source of fresh water, so it appears to have been kept unpolluted.
The high number of petroglyphs found in the cave is remarkable, and these are the best preserved petroglyphs in the Lesser Antilles. Some petroglyphs were identified as the Arawak god Jocahu, the “Lord of the Yuca” (provider of cassava, one of the staple crops of the islands, and one of the more powerful members of the Taino / Arawak pantheon. The top section of a stalagmite 16 feet high is carved into an enormous head, which is also though to depict Jocahu.
Access
The cave has been closed to protect it, though the island's government has put forward plans to develop the Fountain Cavern as the island's premier tourist attraction. The British Government nominated the cavern to be enrolled as a World Heritage Site.
Fountain Cavern is entered down an iron ladder into a pit 65 feet deep. The cave has various formations, and a beautiful cave lake. But the most impressive and internationally significant feature are Pre-Columbian archaeological remains.
National park
The Government of Anguilla designated Fountain Cavern and its surrounding area a National Park in 1985. It has since been vested in the Anguilla National Trust.
Outside links
Anguilla National Trust: protected-areas
- Showcaves: Fountain Cavern
- Fountain Cavern on 'Anguilla Plus'