The world as we know it today has not always been the same. Before the arrival of Europeans in America, and even after their arrival, there were civilizations that made history and many continue to resist today.
Contrary to what many people think, these peoples were extremely developed with regard to astronomy, agriculture and medicine, in addition to living in a model of society that is more just for everyone and respecting nature.
In this sense, tourism in archaeological sites is an important tool to get to know the entire historical and cultural context of Latin America and thus connect again with part of our essence, which is not only European, Asian, Arab or African but also Quechua, Aymara , Maya Mapuche, Guarani, Xavante.
The origin of the construction of some sites is still a mystery, but they are all impressive!
Here we leave some incredible archaeological sites in Latin America:
Mexico
The Mexican territory was marked by the presence of robust pre-Columbian cultures such as Aztec, Mayan and Toltec and left an architectural, artistic and archaeological heritage of great importance.The Maya, for example, had an incredible calendar system connected with the solar and lunar cycles, a written language and they mapped the celestial map even better than the Greeks!
Must-see places there:
- Palenque, Chiapas;
- Chichén Itza, Yucatán;
- Teotihuacán, State of Mexico;
- Tulum, Quintana Roo.
Belize
Many travelers travel to Belize especially to dive at one of the best diving spots on the planet, close to the second largest coral reef in the world.However, in Belize we can walk a few meters and trip over some Mayan ruin! The Mayans have been present in Belize since 2000 B.C. At that time, in Belize, approximately 1 million Mayans lived there, a number that contrasts with the 300,000 inhabitants of today!
There, the main sites are:
- Caracol (with Rio on Pools and Rio Frio Cave);
- Xunantunich.
Guatemala
The country that I most underestimated on this trip and one of the ones that I was most enchanted with, even more when I heard about the existence of the Tikal ruins!Guatemala is considered to be the cradle of the Mayan civilization and, consequently, still has a very active Mayan population. Tikal, often called the largest Mayan city that has ever existed, is located in the northern part of the country, close to the Mexican border.
Honduras
The archeological site of Copán is the most important in the Mayan Honduran world and has been inhabited by up to 20 thousand people.When the ruins were found it was found to be quite damaged due to the series of earthquakes and floods that it suffered, but the restoration work carried out was impressive!
El Salvador
The Mayan Route is well known in Mexico, but what few people know is that the route consists of a circuit of archaeological sites from the ancient Mayan civilization that covers all of Central America!In El Salvador there are still eight cities that show the power of this disappeared civilization, which neither the passage of centuries nor modernity have made its culture disappear. The main ones are:
- Tazumal Archaeological Site;
- Joya de Céren;
- Cihuatan Archaeological Site.
Colombia
Although Colombia is not exactly known for the ruins of ancient civilizations or majestic millenary buildings, the country has really exciting archaeological destinations, from a city lost in the highest coastal mountains in the world (where you walk six days to get there), to evidence of the greatest necropolis of America, located in the south of the country.If you like nature, mystery and your skin prickles as if visiting these places makes you go back to your roots, you can't miss these walks:
- Lost City;
- San Agustin;
- Tierradentro.
Ecuador
Before the Spaniards arrived, Ecuador was part of the Inca Empire! And, before the Incas, the territory belonged to the cañaris, it is believed that for about a thousand years.Part of that pre-Columbian history of Ecuador is told in Ingapirca, the best preserved archaeological site in the country. With rocks cut mysteriously in the shape of a trapezoid, as in the ruins of Machu Picchu, Ingapirca is a mini version of the Peruvian monument.
It is at the end of the so-called Inca Trail of Ecuador, a 40 km path that fans of long treks usually take in three days. In addition to Ingapirca, it is also worth visiting these sites:
- Archaeological Complex Baños del Inca en Coyoctor;
- Complejo Pumapungo.
Peru
Peru is one of the most amazing countries I have ever visited so far! When I went backpacking there, my expectation was super modest and it was surpassed absolutely in every way, especially in the country's archaeological heritage.Its enigmatic and healing energy, the diversity and exuberance in the landscapes and the simple and personality-filled gastronomy make Peru a special destination.
When we talk about this country, it is inevitable that the first thing to come to mind is not Machu Picchu. The association is fair because the Old Mountain is one of the 7 wonders of the modern world and carries a lot of history, in addition to its look to thrill anyone!
But if you are that type of traveler who seeks to get out of the obvious, with a thirst to live days that transform you inside and out, you will be surprised with less visited regions that allow a deeper experience, different from the great movement that goes on. in Machu Picchu.
Make no mistake, these regions are just as surprising, each with its own unique and fascinating history:
- Machu Picchu;
- Complex of ruins in the Sacred Valley - Chinchero, Ollantaytambo, Pisac;
- Cusco;
- Sacsayhuamán Complex;
- Chavin de Huantar;
- Caral;
- Chanchan. Huaca del Sol Huaca de la Luna;
- Choquequirao;
- Pachakamaq;
- Nasca Lines;
- Puno;
- Larco Museum - this is not exactly an archaeological site, but it is a museum in Lima that houses no less than 45,000 works referring to 5,000 years of development in Peruvian history. It is the largest archaeological collection in the country!
- Inca Trail, these trail is most popular for the all adventurous trekkers. we recommend to book in advance and you can get your Inca trail permits.
Chile
I will always be suspicious when talking about northern Chile, as I stayed in San Pedro de Atacama for three months. There, you combine archeology with breathtaking natural beauty! And it finds traces of rock, pre-Columbian, Inca cultures and finally, the Atacameño (or likan-antai) people. The latter are still alive in the deserts to this day, fortunately!The archaeological sites that you must visit in San Pedro de Atacama are:
- Pukara de Quitor;
- Tulor village;
- Gustavo le Paige Museum.
Argentina
Northern Argentina is still, by far, unknown to us Brazilians. However, the region is home to salt deserts, colorful mountains, giant cacti and dozens of ruins from pre-Columbian civilizations, as well as a unique cultural mix between Spanish Christian beliefs and the cult of Pachamama (mother earth). This makes northern Argentina unique in the world and is home to many archaeological attractions:- In Jujuy, the fortress of Valle, Pukara de Tilcara and Qhapac Ñan;
- In Catamarca, Pukara de Aconquija, el Shinkal and Candelaria cave;
- In Tucumán, with the Quilmes and Tafi do Valle ruins;
- Route 40.
Bolivia
If we talk about archeology in Latin America, we certainly think of Mexico or Peru. However, 71 km from La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, are the ruins of the Tiwanaku civilization, which has inhabited the region near Titicaca since the 15th century BC and was one of the most advanced on the continent!Locals say that this was the first people from all of the peoples of our America.
At its peak, Tiawanaku was considered the center of the world and was the capital of a grand empire that stretched from southern Peru to the southern Bolivian Andes, through northern Chile.
Even today, the technology used by these peoples in their construction impresses us and allows us to access a past as rich in cultures as in its traces:
- Tiwanaku ruins;
- National Museum of Archeology Tiwanaku;
- Islas del Sol y de la Luna, on Lake Titicaca;
- Camino de Takesi;
Nothing better than starting to explore the ruins and their stories, accompanied by those who built them, the original peoples, our "abuelos", whether of blood or soul!
Travel Tour Group Blogger
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