Fountain Cavern National Park: Anguilla's Ancient Heart

Fountain Cavern National Park, located near Shoal Bay on Anguilla's northeastern coast, is a captivating journey into the island's ancient past. This national park protects an underground cavern system that descends approximately 50 feet, featuring a freshwater pool that was vital to the indigenous Amerindians. The cavern holds immense historical and cultural significance as one of the most important pre-Columbian sites in the Eastern Caribbean.The cavern walls are adorned with well-preserved petroglyphs and rock carvings, offering a glimpse into the spiritual and artistic capabilities of the Amerindian people who inhabited Anguilla. Among the 33 petroglyphs, the most impressive is the 14-foot stalagmite carved to represent Jocahu (also known as Yucahú), the supreme deity of the Taino people, the god of yuca (cassava) and a spirit of fertility. This masterpiece highlights the Taino's creative genius, using the cavern's natural space to create a place of worship and magic.Archaeological excavations indicate that the site was used for ritual purposes from around A.D. 400 to at least A.D. 1200. Caves held special importance for the Taino people, who believed the first people, the sun, and the moon emerged from caves. They used shrines in ceremonial caves to induce rainfall, leaving sacred objects and carrying materials away for their spiritual power. The faces and eyes carved at Fountain Cavern may represent ancestor spirits.The Government of Anguilla designated Fountain Cavern and its surrounding area a National Park in 1985. Today, visitors can take guided tours to fully appreciate the archaeological significance of this hidden gem. The Anguilla Amerindian Interpretation Centre (AAIC) uses architecture and landscaping to interpret the period of the first Anguillians or the Taino peoples living in Malliouhana.