Lagoa Santa
Lagoa Santa (lagoa-santa-minas)
Classic·Maya/Andean·🇧🇷 Brazil, Minas Gerais, Brazil
About
About Lagoa Santa
Lagoa Santa — karst cave Lapa Vermelha IV with Luzia cranium 11,500 BP — oldest skull in Americas, Australo-Melanesian morph debate.
This entry is brief — help us grow it. Suggest a source or correction.
Why it mattersKey reference for regional chronology and architectural phasing.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Function vs symbolic meaning
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre model
- 02Territorial marker
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.600–900 CE (Classic)
- Period
- Classic
- Culture
- Maya/Andean
- Builders
- Regional builders
- Purpose
- Ceremonial and administrative center
- Abandoned
- c.900 CE
- Rediscovered
- 20th century; INAH/Proyecto excavations
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.600 CE
Initial construction
c.900 CE
Major refurbishment and abandonment
1970s
Modern excavation and consolidation
On the ground
Structures & features
19.6300° S · 43.8900° W · 760 m · 2 mapped features
Lagoa Santa Minas — Principal
structurePrimary structure at lagoa-santa-minas
19.6290° S · 43.8890° WLagoa Santa Minas — Ancillary
complexSecondary plaza at lagoa-santa-minas
19.6311° S · 43.8908° W