Five amazing Colombian archaeological sites

The nation of Colombia may be relatively young but its soil is not. Numerous history-altering discoveries have turned Colombia into […]

The nation of Colombia may be relatively young but its soil is not. Numerous history-altering discoveries have turned Colombia into an archaeological destination, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. This is why they come:

 

Tatacoa Desert 

Colombia’s Tatacoa Desert is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the biggest sources of vertebrate fossils in the world, thanks to its climate and land formation. Experts describe it as “the most varied paleontological record in the whole of the Americas” and teams from as far afield as the United States and Japan have travelled to study its fossils. The funny thing is, Tatacoa isn’t even a desert. It’s a dry tropical forest, stretching for 330 square kilometers, close to Neiva in the department of Huila.

The Tatacoa Desert, Tatacoa Desert, Colombian Archaeological sites

Photo: Jorge Láscar

Villa de Leyva

Villa de Leyva is a classic “lost in time” colonial town that has changed little in the past 400 years. It gained fame among archaeologists in 1977, when the near-complete remains of a giant lizard, preserved since the time of the dinosaurs, were discovered nearby. The bones of the kronosaurus – complete with its huge head and massive teeth – were nicknamed “El Fosil” and remain in a museum built where they were found. The species was later officially named K. Boyacensis, after the Boyaca department.

Fósil Villa de Leyva, Colombian Archaeological sites, Villa de Leyva

Photo: IMAGEN09

Cerrejón 

Cerrejón, close to La Guajira, is one of the world’s largest open-pit coal mines but fifty-eight million years ago it was a vast, swampy jungle where thick mud covered the remains of animals and preserved them for us to find. Besides giant turtles and enormous crocodiles, archaeologists discovered the complete remains of a Titanoboa there in 2009 – a 40-foot long snake that weighed more than a ton. That one fossil changed the way archaeologists viewed the history of life on Earth.

Titanoboa

Photo: Ryan Somma

San Agustín 

San Agustín Archaeological Park contains the largest group of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures in the whole of South America. Its exhibits date back more than 2,000 years, when tombs were built for the elite members of pre-Columbian societies. Those societies were some of the earliest complex societies in the Americas and their tombs contained elaborate architecture including stone corridors, columns and statues depicting gods and supernatural beings.

Colombian Archaeological sites, San Agustin park, parque San Agustin

Photo: Flickr Mario Carvajal

Tierradentro 

Tierradentro (“Inner Earth”) National Archaeological Park contains a series of pre-Columbian tombs, up to eight meters underground, which are covered in red, black and white indigenous art. These burial chambers, known as hypogea, are reached by spiral staircases and some contain sculptures and pottery too. The tombs in the park, close to the city of Popayan in Cauca, were built between the 6th and 9th century.

Tierradentro, Colombian Archaeological sites

Photo: Inyucho

Searching for archaeological sites that will transport you through the ages? The answer is Colombia. If you liked this article please feel free to share it on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ or any of your social networks.

Related articles:

Everything you need to know about The Lost City

Homes of the stars: Five Historic Colombian Houses

Colombia’s Myths and Legends

Rate this post
Artículos recomendados
Featured Video Play Icon

Discover FILBO, the International Book Fair of Bogotá

Did you know that the International Book Fair of Bogotá is the most important of South America?
Featured Video Play Icon

Marca Colombia (English Subtitles)

Colombia es un país de hechos positivos que hoy nos permiten decirle al mundo que somos la respuesta. Esta es...
colombian birds, reserves of birds, nature reserves, colombian fauna

Five Colombian reserves to coexist with birds

We suggest five places where you can enjoy the magical experience of wild bird-watching in Colombia.
Santuario de las Lajas, Holy Week, Colombia

Five unforgettable places to experience Colombia’s Holy Week

Here are five unforgettable places to experience the passion of a Colombian Easter weekend:

Amazon-Orinoco, a place of fantastic experiences

Live the best experience traveling and getting to know the Colombian Amazon - Orinoco, discover an unforgettable destination!

What’s living in Colombia like? Here are three stories that’ll inspire you

These are the stories of three foreigners who rarely thought about living abroad, but were destined to change their minds...
Weather, Climate, Colombian, Thermal floors

FAQ: The Climate and Weather in Colombia

Climate and weather in Colombia vary drastically depending on your destination. Check out our FAQ and be prepared for your...
Bogota, bike friendly, Bike

Bogota: Bike Friendly City

Bogota is famous across the world for being a bike friendly city.
Colombia Hiking Trails, Hiking trails in Colombia, Landcape, Tourism

Colombia: It’s Hiking Country

Hikers are spoilt for choice in Colombia, with hiking trails that stretch over mountain tops and pass through paramo landscapes,...
Tourism, Tourism by region, Colombian regions, Regions of Colombia, Landscapes

Tourism by Regions

The important natural and cultural diversity of the country has allowed it to have a varied offer of destinations throughout...