Heritage sites, Archaeological discoveries, History of Archaeology

Fuerte de Samaipata

Location

Florida Province

Country

Bolivia

Year of Research

1998

Culture

The archaeological site of Samaipata has two divisions: the hill with its many carvings, believed to have been the ceremonial centre of the old town (14th–16th centuries), and the area to the south of the hill, which formed the administrative and residential district.

The big sculptured rock, dominating the town below, is one and only testimony to pre-Hispanic traditions and beliefs, and has no parallel anywhere in the Americas.

The sculptured rock at Samaipata is the dominant ceremonial feature of an urban settlement that indicates the apogee of this form of prehispanic religious and political centre.Samaipata bears outstanding evidence to the presence in this Andean region of a culture with highly developed religious traditions, illustrated dramatically in the form of immense rock sculptures.