An article by Ryan Schuessler on the Guardian - Hikers on Caribbean island of Montserrat find ancient stone carvings - reports on the petroglyphs, thought to be 1,000 to 1,500 years old, as the first known of in the British Overseas Territory, adding to Montserrat's unique history.

Montserrat's National Trust said the pre-Columbian petroglyphs are the first find of their kind on the island in the eastern Caribbean. Image: mhmon

Hikers on the Caribbean island of Montserrat have discovered ancient stone carvings that archaeologists believe could offer valuable insight into the island's pre-colonial history. The petroglyphs of geometric design were carved on a boulder in the island's north. Their authenticity has now been confirmed by researchers. 

Pre-Columbian #petroglyphs on Montserrat #Caribbean #Amerindian #archaeology https://t.co/EZ5ILhKPKp pic.twitter.com/LrfJNpBbIe

— Bradshaw Foundation (@BradshawFND) June 15, 2016

The petroglyphs were found in densely forested hills in the island's north. Image: Montserrat National Trust

Petroglyphs created by the Caribbean's indigenous peoples have been found throughout the region but until now had never been seen on Montserrat or nearby Antigua. The Montserrat petroglyphs are similar to those that have been found on St Kitts, another nearby island; indigenous Arawak petroglyphs and other evidence of pre-Columbian settlement have been as far north as Cuba, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola. George Mentore, a University of Virginia anthropologist who studies the indigenous cultures of the Caribbean and Amazonia, states that similar engravings had been found along rivers in the north of South America where Arawak- and Carib- speaking groups live today.

Sarita Francis, director of the Montserrat National Trust, states that Amerindian artifacts have been found on the island, but this is the first example of rock art. Initial analysis suggests the petroglyphs are between 1,000 and 1,500 years old. 

Woodlands beach in Montserrat, near where the petroglyphs were discovered. Image: Bob Oliver/Getty Images

Archaeological evidence suggests that ancient peoples first lived on Montserrat between 2,500 and 4,000 years ago. Arawak-speaking groups later inhabited the island, but are believed to have vacated it by the late 1400s following raids by another indigenous group, the Caribs.

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