 The caves in 2006 | |
  location in Curaçao Show map of Curaçao Hato Caves (Caribbean) Show map of Caribbean | |
| Location | Hato, Roosevelt Weg |
|---|---|
| Region | Curaçao,Caribbean |
| Coordinates | 12°10′47.28″N68°56′54.24″W / 12.1798000°N 68.9484000°W /12.1798000; -68.9484000 |
| History | |
| Periods | 1,500 years ago |
| Associated with | Arawaks |
Hato Caves areshow caves, publicly accessible since 1991 and a populartourist attraction on theCaribbean island ofCuraçao. The caves consist of marinecorallimestone, which accumulated over millions of years and after sea levels had dropped were exposed toatmospheric corrosion andkarstic processes. They are approximately 240 m (790 ft) long and cover an area of 4,900 m2 (53,000 sq ft) .[1]
The site is situated on the island's northern coast, north of the town ofWillemstad on the Roosevelt Weg. The caves constitute layers and terraces. Several caves are to be found on the second terrace, the Hato Caves are exclusively located above on the third terrace.[2]
The earliest known inhabitants of the caves about 1,500 years ago were theAmerindianArawaks andCaiquetio Indians, who also buried their dead in the caves. The numerouspetroglyphs and cave drawings are attributed to these early occupants. Before the abolition of slavery, runawayslaves used the caves as hiding places.[3]
