5 Best Archeological Sites in South America

Before Europeans came to the Americas, the civilization presents here already thrived. Although many have been destroyed gradually, there are still many spectacular sites that remain throughout the continent. America is rich in history and culture, there are many archeological sites that travelers experience along with its incredible nature. On your trip to these destinations, you’ll find plants and animals that are only present in these rarefied places.Certainly, South America is home to major archeological sites, those in Mexico and Guatemala tend to be the most excavated and most advanced. Most sites in South America are near the pacific coast and around the Andes. Here’s our guide to the best archaeological sites in South America, places that are known for ancient American cultures

1. Ciudad Perdida

Ciudad Perdida is one of the most ancient Tayrona towns and archeological sites carved into the mountainside in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. This ancient site was found about 800 CE, almost 650 years before Machu Picchu. It is also known as “Lost City” and residents of local tribes including the Arhuaco, the Koguis, and the Wiwas call the city Teyuna and they claim that it was the heart of many villages inhabited by their forebears, the Tairona. Ciudad Perdida consists of a series of 169 terraces that are carved into the mountainside, titled roads, and small plazas. This place is only accessible by a climb up some 1200 stone steps through dense jungle.

2. Serra da Capivara National Park

 

This Serra da Capivara national park is an amazing UNESCO-listed national park and home to the oldest paintings in the Americas, stunning rocks, and evocative viewpoints. The capybara national park is a must-do for history lovers. Here, you will find the perfectly-preserved cave paintings which are almost 25,000 thousand years old. These paintings include wild animals and human figures. This place preserves the biggest ensemble of archeological sites, you can also admire the oldest examples of rock art in the Americas- Boqueirão da Pedra Furada. However, this park has over 300 other archeological sites within it, the majority is enclosed by rock and wall paintings. The study reveals that the encompassing area of Serra da Capivara National Park was occupied by hunters and gathers, and then followed by ceramic-farming societies.

3. Christ the Redeemer

 

Chris the Redeemer ” Cristo Redentor” is a statue about 30 meters high, overlooking Rio De Janeiro. It is ascended upon an 8-meter pedestal and the 700-meter high mountain of Corcovado. This statute was designed between  1922 and 1931 and it is a famous Brazilian cultural idol and a universal symbol of Christianity. Many donations were made to support the construction of, mostly they came from Brazilian catholic. Its design represents the Christian cross, a statue of Jesus holding a globe in his hands, and a pedestal that signified the world. It is one of the popular tourist destinations, so crowds here are always large.

4. Ouro Preto

 

Ouro Preto is a city located in Minas Gerais, Brazil and it is an important prior colonial mining town that has been established as a UNESCO world heritage Site. This city originated in the late 17th century and was initially known as Vila Rica, which means “Rich Town ”, due to its role in the Brazilian Gold Rush which started in the 1690s. Our Preto has still maintained its outstanding Baroque Portuguese Colonial Architecture, and it makes it the best destination for tourists. The city has numerous museums and churches within it, the most popular is the Mina do Chico Rei and the Mina De Passagem. It is accessible by regular buses from São Paulo, Rio, and Belo Horizonte. A nightly bus also rides from Rio to Ouro Preto.

5. The Moais Of Easter Island

 

Easter Island is famous and popular for its stone statues of humans, the island is known to its inhabitants as Rapa Nui. The giant curved statues that tower over some of the most amazing landscapes of all, The Moais of easter island are insanely amazing and offer a genius excuse to visit this place. The angular faces of Moais with their poker face expressions and remarkable size are one of the world’s most mysterious archaeological things. Recently scientists found that Moai eyes are filled with coral. For relaxing purposes, the beaches of Easter island are more than coral-white sand and turquoise waters, the summer months make the beaches a fine and perfect place to spend a relaxed afternoon.

Don’t forget to add these places to your list of American holidays, as exploring them will be super exciting! These Archeological places are historical and full of ancient cultures. These places will mystify you with their scenery and awesome nature.