Historic Preservation Officer Genevieve Cabrera, in her presentation at the American Memorial Park’s Visitors Center auditorium on Wednesday night, said they have identified over 50 images drawn on the rocks and walls of the cave, and these drawings tell stories about the history of the islands.
Cabrera said the rock art and drawings are largely concentrated within the first 30 to 45 feet of the cave’s entrance, or in the middle chamber.
“Kalabera Cave is one of the most popularly known and frequently accessed sites on Saipan as an eco-tourist and historical destination, but few have gone down to study these rock arts,” she said.
She said most of the pictographs, or the pictorial representations and petroglyps, or rock engravings measure between five to 10 inches in size, and most of the engravings portray headless human figures.
Cabrera said ancient people buried their dead but retrieved the skulls back after a certain period.
“They usually clean the skull, put in a container and display in a prominent place in their homes. This way, they will feel that their loved one has not passed away but is always with them,” Cabrera explained.
She said strong family connections and close ties of the ancient Chamorro are portrayed by the artwork in the cave.
Cabrera said the findings, including the skulls and bones found in the cave, indicate that it was used as a burial site for ancient Chamorros.
She said the word “Kalabera” came from the Spanish word “calavera,” which means “skull.”
Doing the presentation with Cabrera was Marilyn Swift who is with the Saipan-based Swift and Harper Archeological Resources Consulting.
The presentation was hosted by the NMI Council for the Humanities, in line with the ongoing HPO Week celebration in the CNMI.
