Piedra Pintada, Volcán Barú and a Possible Cosmological Memory in Stone Field Observations and a Cosmological Interpretation of the Petroglyphs of Caldera, Panama

This research note presents field observations of the Piedra Pintada petroglyph site near Caldera in Chiriquí, Panama. The study examines the distribution of carvings across the volcanic stone and explores the possibility that several symbols align along a curved band that may symbolically represent the ecliptic. Particular attention is given to repeated groups of seven markings that may correspond to the Pleiades star cluster, as well as to a sequence of figures on the western face that may depict cyclical events or celestial phenomena. The observations are discussed in relation to traditional sky observation practices and the possible connection between the Pleiades and the Taurid meteor stream. Rather than interpreting the site solely as a solar–lunar calendar, this study proposes that the engravings may represent a broader cosmological record combining astronomical observation, environmental memory, and cultural symbolism. The paper is intended as a starting point for further archaeological and archaeoastronomical investigation of the Piedra Pintada site.