CHOROTEGA, a group of linguistically related Indian tribes located on the west coasts of Honduras (Choluteca), Nicaragua (Mangue) , and Costa Rica (Orotina) . Other groups are found in southern Mexico. All have lost their tribal identity, although the Mangue dialect is still in existence. Archaeological evidence assigns to the Chorotega an important place in the aboriginal cul ture history of Central America, for early phases of the Chorotega underlie the most ancient remains of the Maya.
See S. K. Lothrop, "Pottery of Costa Rica and Nicaragua," Contributions from the Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation, vol. viii., 1926, p. 20-100.