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A cascading waterfall flows down a 40-foot cliff into a freshwater pool surrounded by large , smooth rocks.
This pool is home to shrimp, frogs, small fish, hummingbirds, and dragonflies.
Found on the surface of the stones are carved drawings and symbols . These carving are called petroglyphs.
There are several theories on the origin of the petroglyphs, but none can be absolutely proven due to unreliable scientific methods for dating the carvings.
The most popular theory attributes the pre-Columbian inhabitants of St. John. Reef Bay was a settlement site for a wave of pre-ceramic hunters and gatherers that came up the island chain of the Lesser Antilles and arrived on St. John about 3,0000 years ago.
One hypothesis implies that the Tainos, one of the first inhabitants of the island may have made the carvings. Archeological evidence, especially the dig at Cinnamon Bay , has proven conclusively that he Taino and their ancestors once lived on St. John. Many archeologists and historians have accepted this hypothesis.
Another hypothesis is that Africans carved the petroglyphs. Historical sources imply that the petroglyphs are similar to carvings made by the Ashanti people, one of the first groups of Africans to come to these shores.
The petroglyphs continue to inspire the imagination and produce varying explanations as to their origin, meaning, and purpose. With the lack of conclusive and scientific evidence, many theories are still possible.
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