Kalabera Cave

Kalabera Cave
Interactive map of Kalabera Cave
Location	Kalabera, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Coordinates	15°14′42.11″N145°47′51.04″E / 15.2450306°N 145.7975111°E / 15.2450306; 145.7975111

Kalabera Cave is an underground chamber in Kalabera, Saipan. There is a trail, ramp at the cave's entrance, pictographic and petroglyph interpretive panels, prayer or offering area, replica latte huts, and landscaping in the surrounding area. ^[1]

The site was used as a prehistoric burial site. ^[2] There are more than forty-five prehistoric petroglyphs and rock engravings in the cave, measuring between 5 and 10 inches in size. Most of the engravings portray headless human figures. ^[3] During the Battle of Saipan, civilians and combatants hid in the cave and it served as a field hospital. ^{[4] [5]} Years after the war, ordnance, human belongings, and skeletons were still retrieved 30 to 50 feet from the cave's entrance. ^[6]

References

1. "Kalabera Cave development begins". Saipan Tribune. March 31, 2014.
2. "Kalabera Cave assessment nearly complete—Arriola". Saipan Tribune. December 19, 2008.
3. "HPO board nominates Kalabera Cave to National Register of historic sites". Saipan Tribune. April 7, 2015.
4. "Groundbreaking for Kalabera Cave improvement set today". Saipan Tribune. March 28, 2014.
5. "Kalabera Cave assessment nearly complete—Arriola". Saipan Tribune. December 19, 2008.
6. "Kalabera Cave development begins". Saipan Tribune. March 31, 2014.