Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center, Archaeological complex in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center is an archaeological complex in Ponce, Puerto Rico, with nine ball fields, three ceremonial plazas, and 186 burial sites spread across a preserved indigenous settlement. The structures are laid out near the Portugués River and show how this community was organized and where people gathered.
The site was discovered in 1975 after Hurricane Eloise exposed its ancient structures and artifacts. It contains remains from the Igneri and Taíno cultures spanning from around the first century through the tenth century, showing how this place served as a spiritual center for hundreds of years.
The stone courts here were places where indigenous people played traditional ball games as part of their spiritual practices and ceremonies. Walking through the site today, you can see how these games connected to their beliefs about the cosmos and the sacred.
The grounds are walkable and paths lead you through all the main areas, though the terrain is uneven in places. Bring water and sun protection, as there is limited natural shade and visits can take several hours to see everything properly.
The largest indigenous burial ground in Puerto Rico is located here, containing 186 human skeletons primarily from the Igneri culture that provide deep insights into how these early people lived. These burials show the funeral practices and social structures of a community rarely documented elsewhere.
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