The book contains artworks in the form of portraits exhibited at the National Archaeological Museum Aruba (MANA). At various locations in Aruba., you can find paintings and petroglyphs on stones created by the indigenous inhabitants of Aruba thousands of years ago. Some are in Arikok Park, while others are not yet protected. In his portraits, Sjoerd Martens combines historical locations with paintings, with elements in our surroundings, such as houses, gardens, graffiti, love messages, etc. The book raises awareness in the community that unexpected places may hold treasures from our ancestors that need protection.
In the book, archaeologist Mr. Harold Kelly (MANA) provides information about the paintings and petroglyphs in Aruba. There are 458 drawings and petroglyphs documented in Aruba, of which 456 are drawings and two are carved into rocks. Carbon dating determined that a drawing in Arikok dates between 776 and 1018, and another in Ayo dates between 1043 and 1275. During that time, the Archaic groups and Caquetios were on our island. The paintings in the limestone caves are mainly black, while those on the rock formations are either red or white. At Rooi Taki, there are also black paintings, while Arikok has drawings in both red and white, which are unique to Aruba and not found elsewhere in the Caribbean region.
Park regulations, ranger supervision, or fences protect the drawings and petroglyphs in Arikok and Ayo. Nevertheless, there are more places on our island where there are drawings on public or private land that are not yet protected and are at risk of being lost. Although laws and regulations are essential for our cultural heritage protection, our community, aware of the value of these drawings and petroglyphs, can have a more significant impact by protecting them when found.
For a description of the book in Dutch and/or Papiamento please click here.