In the Andes, at almost 2,000 meters above sea level, is one of the most important archaeological sites in South America. There, dozens of impressive stone carvings reveal the religiosity and beliefs of the local people.
In this archaeological park, located near the town of San Augustin, in Colombia, the difficult access protected the history of the people who lived there six centuries before Christ. This civilization flourished high in the Andes Mountains and close to the dense forests of the Amazon. Prior to the Incas and Aztecs, it was made up of farmers, fishermen, hunters and artists. His legacy demonstrates a unique talent for stone carving. The curious figures of volcanic rock are spread over a surface of 500km². The site is a ceremonial, funerary and religious center. The statues are on plateaus - small elevations on the flat surface. Among them are the representation of a powerful solar god and a figure known as a bishop, in addition to warriors who carry the bodies of animals. Details such as serpents, eagles and jaguars are often found at the site.
Water for purification
In this forest of idols and stone tombs, the most impressive attraction is the Sacred Fountain of Lavapatas. It is a set of sinks and small channels, excavated in the bed of the existing stream. The human figures, of snakes, lizards and salamanders, lead to the belief that the place was intended for ceremonies and religious rituals, such as sacred baths.