Atacama Giant
Gigante de Atacama · Cerro Unita Giant · Geoglifo de Cerro Unita
Late Intermediate 900–1450 CE·Atacameño / Pica-Tarapacá culture influenced by Tiwanaku·🇨🇱 Tarapaca Region, Chile
About
About Atacama Giant
Largest prehistoric anthropomorphic geoglyph in world: 119 m tall figure on Cerro Unita hill slope with rectangular headdress of 12–13 elements, arms raised, created c.900–1450 CE by Atacameño/Tiwanaku-related Andean caravan cultures marking north Chilean nitrate desert caravan axis. Associated with 21 other geoglyph complexes in Atacama geoglyph province (~Jul–Dec).
Why it mattersLargest anthropomorph worldwide; sole Andean caravan-network geoglyph witness
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Headdress ray meaning - solar calendar vs chief prestige
- 02Dating by association strength
Theories
- 01Andean caravan cosmological wayfinding thesis
- 02Atacama nitrate shaman ideology
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.900–1450 CE (TL via associated sherds)
- Period
- Late Intermediate 900–1450 CE
- Culture
- Atacameño / Pica-Tarapacá culture influenced by Tiwanaku
- Purpose
- Caravan route marker and shamanic/celestial calendar for nitrate trade routes
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
900 CE
Active geoglyph province begins
1980
Geoglyph recorded by Briones
2015
World Heritage tentative list Chile Atacama geoglyphs
On the ground
Structures & features
19.9478° S · 69.6333° W · 1100 m · 2 mapped features
Atacama Giant torso
geoglyph119 m body with headdress, arms up, detailed face 15 m
19.9477° S · 69.6333° WCerro Unita Trail Geoglyphs
geoglyph clusterCluster of additional geometric geoglyphs on same hill
19.9485° S · 69.6340° W
Gallery