History
Pitch Lake has fascinated explorers and scientists, as well as attracting tourists, since its discovery by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1595. Raleigh himself found immediate use for the asphalt to caulk his ship. Exported asphalt from Pitch Lake was also used to pave the streets of some regions of New York City. Since its re-discovery, there have been numerous research investigations into the use and chemical composition of this material. Above all, there have been countless theories, postulations, and conclusions as to the size, source, and origin of the asphalt.
The local Carib tribe believed that the pitch lake was created after the local tribe (who had just won a battle) feasted on hummingbirds, knowing that they were their dead ancestors. The winged god was furious and drowned the village, creating the pitch lake. For the Caribs the pitch lake is a symbol of emptiness but today it is a symbol of money
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“All objects, all phases of culture are alive. They have voices. They speak of their history and interrelatedness. And they are all talking at once!”
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