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The cultural history of Nicaragua is very sparsely documented. Evidence of indigenous culture are found around the entire country. The island of Ometepe is clearly the most significant site regarding Nicaragua’s cultural past, however the entire Pacific corridor of the country is left with remnance of the past.
One of the issues concerning the archaeological study of Nicaragua is the lack of a central city state and the large structures that attract major groups of scholars with significant funding. The studies of Nicaragua cultural heritage have been made on a much smaller scale and many times by individuals with little or no funding.
For this reason the cultural ceramic art of the San Juan de Oriente pueblo is important in both a contemporary and historical sense.
A site which documents the time line and the various cultures of the region is:
http://www.prehispanicpottery.com/nicaragua.htm
This site is the most dedicated to the pre-Columbian history of the area. Although they are lacking on some specifics and don’t highlight that Island of Ometepe has it should, the effort must pre applauded.
The Island of Ometepe is not only an important site in Nicaragua but significant in Central ans all of the Americas. The evidence of this fact is that stylistic and actual examples of work in stone & clay from cultures far to the north and south have been unearthed throughout the island. Ometepe was clearly a ceremonial destination, it seems to have been a beriel site for local and visiting persons of high importance.
A local museum has emerged from a private farm highlighting over 1200 examples of the islands pre-Columbian heritage.
Supporting this effort to maintain this heritage on the island is very important and the effort by director Moises Ghitis and the staff should be applauded.
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