Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center, Ponce

The Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center in Ponce, Puerto Rico is one of the most important archeological discoveries made in the Antilles. The discovery provides an insight as to how the indigenous tribes of the Igneri and Tainos lived and played during and before the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the New World.

Over 186 human remains were found within the boundaries of the ceremonial center, in what is considered to be the largest indigenous cemetery. Most of the remains were from the Igneri Culture and DNA samples have been taken from the remains for further studies. Information such as the ceremonies, eating habits, ceramic styles and much more has been provided from these remains and from the excavations.

The site is now a tourist attraction which is open to the public. Artefacts found on the site are on display and can be seen in a museum on the site and in the Ponce Museum of Art. The Caguana Ceremonial Park located in Utuado, Puerto Rico also has a display of Taíno artifacts and a replica of a ceremonial ball field.

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