National Archeological Park Of Tierradentro Facts: You Should Know

There are over 500 stone statues and 160 underground tombs in Tierradentro.

The Tierradentro region houses the most monumental shaft tombs of pre-Columbia with side chambers, carved in the volcanic tuff under mountain ridges and hilltops. These structures were made between 600-900 AD.

Did you know that there is an archaeological park in Colombia, home to some of the most impressive Pre-Columbian art in the world? This park, called Tierradentro, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains burial sites, temples, and other structures that date back to the 7th-12th centuries.

If you are interested in history and archeology, then you need to add Tierradentro to your bucket list! In this article, we will provide some interesting facts about this amazing place.

Discovery And History

The National Archeological Park of Tierradentro of South America was first discovered in 1912 by a group of American archeologists. At the time, the area was completely hidden by thick vegetation, and it took some time for the archeologists to uncover all of the secrets that the park had to offer.

The Spanish term 'Tierradentro' translates to 'inside earth' or 'underground.' The remains in this region are composed of a cluster of historical burial chambers that date back even before the Spanish colonization.

The park became famous in the 1970s when it was first discovered by archeologists from the University of Pittsburgh. Some fabric and pottery remains and statues can be scarcely seen because of grave robberies that took place before this site became a protected region.

The park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 due to its cultural significance. The sites in Tierradentro represent some of the best-preserved examples of Andean pre-Columbian art in the world. The National Archeological Park of Tierradentro was on the 2012 World Monuments Watch of the World Monuments Fund list of 100 Most Endangered Sites.

Cultural Heritage

The park is home to a number of archaeological sites that date back to the pre-Columbian era. These sites were built by the ancient indigenous people who lived in this region.

The most impressive pre-Columbian art can be found in the burial sites, which are decorated with intricate carvings and paintings. The sites in Tierradentro represent some of the best-preserved examples of Andean pre-Columbian art in the world. The underground tombs reveal the cultural wealth and social complexity of the northern Andes' pre-Hispanic society.

The tombs contain a variety of murals and sculptures. The most famous of these is the 'Sculpture of a Seated Man', which dates back to the 12th century. Although they appear at higher density, the pictorial patterns and details on cultures in hypogea are identical to adjacent San Agustin culture.

The open-air public showcase of nine status, 80 hypogea, and other archeological materials at the museum on site aids to increase public support and awareness of cultural conservation efforts.

The excavation of around 162 hypogea and mountainous regions where the Tierradentro culture flourished, now has a national archeological park under the municipality of Inza jurisdiction of the Cauca Department in Colombia.

Popayan, the capital of this department is 62.1 mi (100 km) away from the archaeological park.

Archaeological Excavations

Archaeological excavations of the National Archaeological Park Of Tierradentro first began in the early 20th century. However, it wasn’t until 1972 that the park was formally established. Since then, archaeologists have uncovered a wealth of information about the people who lived here centuries ago.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Tierradentro Archaeological park is the burial sites. These underground tombs are decorated with colorful murals and sculptures. It is believed that the elite class of society was buried in these underground tombs, as they were much more elaborate than the other burial sites in the park.

The entry to the Tierradentro hypogeum is oriented towards the west, the main chamber around 16.4-26.2 ft (5-8 m) under the surface with a lot lesser chambers and each containing a corpse. The walls were painted using zoomorphic, anthropomorphic, and geometric patterns in white, black, and red.

Hypogea have been discovered in numerous excavations around the Tierradentro region, including El Tablon, Alto del Duende, Alto de Segovia, Alto de San Andres, and Avacado hill or Alto de Aguacate.

Site Attraction

Stone statues (monumental statues) are made out of stones that have a volcanic origin, representing upright human figures, with upper limbs placed on chests.

In addition to the burial sites, Tierradentro park also contains several temples that were built by the indigenous people who lived in the area. These temples are dedicated to various gods and goddesses and are a fascinating glimpse into the religious beliefs of pre-Columbian cultures.

The site contains six burial grounds, which are called hypogea. These burial grounds were used by the ancient people who lived in this area from around 600-1200 AD.

The hypogea are decorated with impressive Pre-Columbian art, including murals, sculptures, and carvings that represent the internal decor used during the period. In addition to the hypogea, the park also contains temples and other structures that were built by the ancient people of Tierradentro.

The temple of San Andres is the largest structure in the park. The temple of Santa Ana is the most well-preserved structure in the park. Other interesting structures are plazas and baths. There are also several museums located in the park where you can learn more about the history and culture of the region.

The park is open all year round, but the best time to visit is between December and March when the weather is cooler. It is estimated that over 100,000 tourists visit the National Archeological Park of Tierradentro every year.

FAQs

Q. Where are the Tierradentro tombs?

A. The Tierradentro tombs are located in the Cauca Department of Colombia.

Q. Where is the historical wealth of Colombia preserved?

A. Tierradentro is one of the most important cultural sites in Colombia, and it is home to a wealth of historical artifacts.

Q. What is so special about the National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro?

A. Tierradentro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is home to some of the most impressive Pre-Columbian art in the world.

Q. How old is the National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro?

A. The park is estimated to be around 7,000 years old.

Q. Who built the National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro?

A. The park was built by the indigenous people of Colombia.

Q. What does the National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro signify?

A. The National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is home to some of the most impressive Pre-Columbian art in the world. It is also one of the most important cultural sites in Colombia, and it is a place where the historical wealth of Colombia is preserved.

Q. What type of architectural feature is a National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro?

A. The National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro is known for its beautiful geometric style of art, which can be found on the tombs and other structures in the park.

Q. When did it become so famous?

A. National Archeological Park of Tierradentro become so famous after it was discovered by the University of Pittsburgh in 1972. The park has since been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Q. What city is the Historic National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro in?

A. The Historic National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro is located in the Cauca Department of Colombia.