About the Ometepe Petroglyph Project
The Ometepe Petroglyph Project is a long term volunteer archaeological
field survey of the Maderas half of the Nicaraguan island
of Ometepe, the largest island on Lake Nicaragua, conducted
by archaeologist Suzanne
Baker. In five field seasons an area of 15 square kilometers
has been intensively surveyed. Within that area (along the
northern slopes of the Maderas volcano) the project has recorded
and mapped 73 archaeological sites. Almost 1700 petroglyph
panels on 1400 boulders have been photographed, drawn, and
cataloged as part of the survey.
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Lake Nicaragua, with a surface area of 8,264 sq. km, is the
largest inland body of water in Central America. Ometepe island,
the largest island in the lake, is comprised of two volcanos
and a narrow spit of land between. The volcanic activity,
through the deposition of volcanic ash, has made the soil
of the plains extremely fertile, permitting constant planting
without fallowing. The island has probably been inhabited
since the Dinarte phase (ca. 2000-500 B. C.), although the
evidence for the oldest phase on the island is extremely limited.
(Information from The Archaeology of Pacific Nicaragua,
Univ. of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque.)
Why Volunteer?
Nicaragua currently suffers from high unemployment, and the
people lucky enough to have work toil under very low wages.
Government agencies like the Department of Archaeology are
severely underfunded. Volunteer programs like this one provide
the means to do scientific research that wouldn't otherwise
be possible.
How it Works
Ok, here's the deal. Each volunteer contributes a small sum
to the project. This funds the project, provides room, board
and transportation to and from the airport in Nicaragua for
the volunteer. It also funds the per diem expenses of the
Nicaraguan Archaeologist in charge. Some money is set aside
for more field work in Nicaragua, and for costs incured in
producing a report. By the way, none of the staff of the project
from the U.S. are paid.
There's a volcano to climb with a lagoon on top. A fresh
water lake with good beaches is nearby. Howler monkeys and
parrots share the treetops.
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