The Mahlac Pictograph Cave is a
rock art
In archaeology, rock art is human-made markings placed on natural surfaces, typically vertical stone surfaces. A high proportion of surviving historic and prehistoric rock art is found in caves or partly enclosed rock shelters; this type also ...
site on the island of
Guam
Guam (; ch, Guåhan ) is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States in the Micronesia subregion of the western Pacific Ocean. It is the westernmost point and territory of the United States (reckoned from the geographic cent ...
. It is located high in the southern mountains of the island, and contains more than 40 images, rendered in paints that are white, red, brown, and black. The art was carefully analyzed in 2011, and a radiocarbon date of c. 600 CE was obtained from a paint sample. The meaning of the art is a subject of debate.
The cave was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...
in 2014.
Important Bird Area
Mahlac Cave, along with two other caves in the vicinity (Fachi and Maemong), has been recognised as an
Important Bird Area
An Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) is an area identified using an internationally agreed set of criteria as being globally important for the conservation of bird populations.
IBA was developed and sites are identified by BirdLife Int ...
(IBA) by
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global partnership of non-governmental organizations that strives to conserve birds and their habitats. BirdLife International's priorities include preventing extinction of bird species, identifying and safeguarding ...
because it supports a nesting population of some 700–800
Mariana swiftlet
The Mariana swiftlet or Guam swiftlet (''Aerodramus bartschi'') is a species of swiftlet in the family Apodidae.
Taxonomy
It was formerly lumped with the island swiftlet (''Aerodramus inquietus'').
Description
The swiftlet is about 11 cm ...
s.
[ ]
See also
*
National Register of Historic Places listings in Guam __NOTOC__
This is a list of the buildings, sites, districts, and objects listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Guam. There are currently 134 listed sites spread across 17 of the 19 villages of Guam. The villages of Agana Heights ...
References
National Register of Historic Places in Guam
Rock art of Oceania
Important Bird Areas of Guam
Talofofo, Guam
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