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Nancito
Petroglyphs |
| October 10,
2000 - Chiriqui, Panama |
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I
was cruising the Pan-American Highway south of David,
Panama and I noticed a small sign announcing a point of
archaeological interest, the Nancito Petroglyphs. The
sign was small and poorly placed, such that by the time
I realized what it was I was already past the turnoff.
I decided to turn around and check it out even though
the sign gave me the impression it would be less than
a major monument. My hunch was dead on.
Three kilometers into the hills I found the tiny town
of Nancito. It took all of thirty seconds to tour the
entire town twice. No petroglyphs. Upon inquiry I was
directed to a local home. I was greeted by Abraham.
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A larger than life, delightfully animated character with
a magnificent mustache. The mustache was salt and pepper
blonde and was just as dramatic as his personality. I
was soon to find out all about his grandiose plans for
his little town and the collection of boulders on its
outskirts. He was the perfect pitchman for his pet petroglyph
project.
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There
may be some significance the curious carvings, but
as yet, it seems serious scientific study has not
occurred. The pre-Columbian carvings have a Keith
Haring kind of flare, simple yet lively. They are
scattered about on some Volkswagen Beetle sized boulders,
in a saddle between two hills. |
The guides' presentation with his exuberant enthusiasm was
an event in itself. His fanciful theories and explanations
included people and religions from far and wide. Babylonians.
Phoenicians. Hebrews. He called in connections to the bible,
astronomy and ology! "After all" he exclaimed, "Panama is
THE center of the World!" Come on, Abe, you're close to
the equator, and a bridge between continents, but the center...
Ok, who am I to judge? Aren't we all the center of our own
universe?
He invited me back to his home to regale me with more of
his theories and plans. A national park, a visitor's center
and hotel. He wants to write a book to put Nancito on the
map. He asked if I would take the pictures and be the co-author.
I counseled him to perhaps start with a brochure and a better
roadsign.
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He
brought out a reference book and compared the Sphinx
to one of the Nancito carvings, assuring me that
the same people were responsible for both. I like
to think I have and open mind and an active imagination,
but Abe, babe, it's a stretch at best. |
Back
there between some of the boulders, I spied something
that fueled my own personal theory to explain the
glyphs. A small toadstool growing out of a deteriorating
cowpie!! My experiences in the Yucatan Peninsula
years ago taught me that it was no ordinary mushroom.
The carvings just may be the work of some pre-Columbian
ancestor of Keith Haring munching magic mushrooms
and getting crazy with a chisel. |
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