Archaeological Diagnosis of Indigenous Statuary in Ubú Norte, Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast

Abstract

This document contains the archeological findings of a reconnaissance visit to identify two pre-Hispanic idols or statues in the municipality of Ubú Norte, Bocana de Paiwas. The vist was led by the Center for Research and Documentation of the Caribbean Coast (CIDCCA-BICU), in accordance with the National Strategy for Education “Bendiciones y Victorias”, which focuses on local and national history and cultural identity. The archeological heritage of Ubú Norte and Malakawas in Bocana de Paiwas, constitutes material evidence of high historical, cultural, and territorial value for understanding the ancient societies of the Nicaraguan Central Caribbean. The study aimed to analyze indigenous statues and mound structures located in this area, using an archeological, ethnohistorical and heritage approach focused on documenting, characterizing, and assessing their state and conservation. It was assumed that these artifacts form part of a cultural landscape associated with ritual practices, community memory, and pre-Hispanic occupation processes. The research adopted a qualitative, descriptive, and non-experimental approach. Targeted archeological survey, document review, photographic recording, photogrammetric documentation, and direct observation of anthropogenic, biological, and environmental agents of deterioration were employed. The results allowed for the documentation of three sculptural artifacts, including two anthropomorphic statues and a possible preform, as well as four mound structure, spatially associated with the Malakawas site. It is concluded that the archeological complex possesses scientific, educational and heritage significance, but is in a vulnerable state requiring urgent actions for protection, inventory, preventive conservation, technical monitoring, and community heritage education.