The Caves of Ojojona

The Maya Culture is not the only ancient culture found in Honduras. Other less developed, and probably more ancient stone-age cultures existed across the country. Today, a number of sites with remains of these early primitive societies can be seen in various parts of Honduras. However, very little work and research have been done in this field, so prepare to discover the carvings with no explanation or information at all.

Ancient cave carvings - fact or fiction? Well, it is hard to say, since no archeologists have yet taken a professional look at these places. The carvings could have been made by an artistical local farmer a 130 years ago, or they could mark the cultural center of a tribe of hunters and gatherers thousands of years ago. Take a look at the pictures below and make your own judgement. They are from a cave site near the village of Ojojona, south of Tegucigalpa.

Here, we (Monica, me, and Rigoberto) accompagnied by a local farmer acting as guide are on our way to the caves. You can see the beginning of the caves in the background of the photo. Look at the brown colors of the photo; we did the excursion in February 1998 in the dry season of Honduras. Things are very dry, believe me.

In the picture below, we have entered one of the caves. As you can see, it is broad with low ceiling, looking very suitable as a shelter for a number of people. The walls of the cave are filled with strange drawings, mostly depicting "stick-men" and "stick-animals". The drawings are very clear because locals kids have used chalk to clarify the carvings. Monica and Rigoberto are giving the drawings a careful look with the guide leaning on the wall.

Time for the close-ups. What do you make out of that drawing? I have gotten as far as to say that it is an animal. But I wonder what kind of animal with those hairs on the back. Looking at the teeths, one could guess jaguar??

Now, then, what is the picture below supposed to be? Well, some people have identified the object as some kind of animal, but I disagree. It is a very excited man jumping up and down, waving his arms. He is unhappy (look at the mouth) and he is perhaps shooting out a few excrements (what do you think). Round stomach with something inside (what?). The two hairs on his head signifies... excitement?.

Well, now you've seen the caves. The archeologist's paradise since no work at all has been done on these sites. It's something worth checking out if you are in Honduras.