Azapa Pampa Algodonal North Geoglyphs (Algodonal Plain)
Pampa Algodonal Figures · Azapa Algodonal North
Late Archaic–Formative (900 BCE–600 CE)·Alto Ramírez·🇨🇱 Arica y Parinacota, Azapa Valley head, Pampa Algodonal north plain (km 35), Chile
About
About Azapa Pampa Algodonal North Geoglyphs (Algodonal Plain)
Broad pampa (980 m) at Azapa head, Algodonal plain toward the Lluta divide. Eleven figures: 40-m great lizard, 20-m camelid caravan, and 45-m inverted triangle with internal dots (altiplano style). Pampa dark pavement with 5 cm pale sand floor; dots are un-cleared pavement islets within cleared triangle (negative technique). Tarapacá–Cabuza sherds plus highland obsidian flakes indicate altiplano–coast portering.
Why it mattersKey geoglyph illustrating Alto Ramírez hydraulic/geoglyph/kite/kurgan tradition in Arica y Parinacota, Azapa Valley head, Pampa Algodonal north plain (km 35).
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Negative dot technique
Theories
- 01Head-pampa gateway to altiplano
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 BCE–600 CE
- Period
- Late Archaic–Formative (900 BCE–600 CE)
- Culture
- Alto Ramírez
- Purpose
- Head-pampa gateway figures at Azapa–Lluta divide
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.900 BCE–600 CE
Initial construction
2020
Drone/UAV high-resolution mapping and heritage inventory
On the ground
Structures & features
18.4800° S · 69.7500° W · 980 m · 4 mapped features
Great Lizard (40 m)
geoglyph40-m lizard on pampa
18.4790° S · 69.7490° WInverted Triangle with Dots (45 m)
geoglyph45-m triangle with interior dot islets
18.4810° S · 69.7510° WHead-Pampa Camelid Caravan (20 m)
geoglyph20-m caravan
18.4790° S · 69.7490° WObsidian Scatter Locus
earthworkObsidian flake scatter at triangle apex
18.4820° S · 69.7520° W