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Ancient remains found at Kalabera Cave
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Posted on Nov 22 2004
The Kalabera Cave in Marpi has been temporarily closed to tourists beginning Friday last week after the discovery of ancient human remains at the site.
In a statement issued by the Historic Preservation Office of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, it said that the discovery prompted the closure so that the area can be fully assessed.
Human remains were discovered at the site on Wednesday, Nov. 17, by HPO Historian Genevieve Cabrera during taping for an upcoming segment of the indigenous language television show “Abiba I Lengguahita-Mwareiti Mwaliyasch.”
It is believed that the bones were unearthed as a result of erosion and possibly human traffic at the prominent ancient site, the statement said.
Kalabera Cave is the more publicly accessible site where prehistoric pictographs believed to have been made by ancient Chamorros have been found. The cave was also a Japanese defense position and civilian hideout during World War II.
“The Historic Preservation Office will be conducting an assessment of the site to determine the extent of human remains in the area. The site will remain closed to the public until further notice,” HPO said.
HPO is asking the public to refrain from visiting the site during the assessment period. The office is also contacting major tour groups to inform them of the site closure.
“Please respect the area and understand that HPO is doing its best to reopen the site as soon as possible,” said HPO director Epiphano E. Cabrera Jr. “Proper documentation and a full assessment of the site needs to be undertaken prior to its reopening.”
For more information, call the Historic Preservation Office, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs at 670-664-2120.
