Ornamental cave called Morne-Rita

Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Morne-Rita Cave, discovered in the early 1970s in Capesterre-de-Marie-Galante, is a natural cavity that housed an endemic wildlife 30,000 years ago. It was then occupied by the first Amerindian peoples between 800 and 1500, during the so-called "recent ceramic" period associated with Saladoid culture. The site contains 142 anthropomorphic petroglyphs, including a face with black tears, and a grave dating back to 2500 B.C., the oldest evidence of dwelling in Guadeloupe.

Ranked a historic monument on May 30, 1983, the cave belongs to the National Forestry Office. Closed to the public, it is reserved for archaeological research, with recent excavations led by Pierrick Fouéré between 2012 and 2015. This work has deepened knowledge of the pre-Columbian settlements of Marie-Galante and their material culture.

The site is part of a broader set of Amerindian remains of the Lesser Antilles, illustrating the cultural exchanges and lifestyles of Saladoid societies. His study contributes to the understanding of pre-Columbian migration in the Caribbean, while stressing the heritage importance of the adorned caves in this region.

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