Isla de Muertos

By Geoffrey McCafferty (2011)

Isla de Muertos is a small island in Lake Nicaragua, located near Zapatera Island.  It features several flat outcrops of volcanic rock decorated with elaborate petroglyphs.  Rubbings are by Hiro Inomoto (January 2002) and are available at the office of the site guardian.

Figure 1: Cluster of petroglyphs from Isla de Muertos

Figure 2: Petroglyph of standing figure

Figure 3: Rubbing of standing figures

Figure 4: Large figure holding two smaller figures

Figure 5: Rubbing of large figure holding two smaller figures

Figure 6:Turtle

Figure 7: Rubbing of turtle

Figure 8:  Composite human and serpent figure

Figure 9: Rubbing of composite human and serpent figure

Figure 10: Detail of serpent maw with human face inside

Figure 11: Detail of serpent head

Figure 12: Rubbing of bird and cross

Figure 13: Detail of cross motif

Figure 14: Composite human and serpent

Figure 15: Rubbing of composite human and serpent

Figure 16: Multiple images

Figure 17: Rubbing of multiple images, including bird

Figure 18: Rubbing of swirl motif

Figure 19: Rubbing of large figure holding small figure, and possible monkey

Figure 20: Rubbing of human figure standing next to circular element