In the Tarapacá region, 96 kilometers from the coastal city of Iquique, we can find the geoglyphs known as the Pintados‘ Geoglyphs, deployed over an area of 3 km, where close to 400 depictions of the geoglyphs art are pictured.

 

 

Declared a Monumento Histórico (Historical Monument) in 1969, they have recently generated a greater touristic interest: in 2010, more than 13,000 visitors came to visit these ancient cultural imprints.

The site, of high archaeological and heritage value, is protected by CONAF (National Forestry Corporation) and presents an excellent opportunity to experience how man lived, farmed the small oases and traversed the desert caravan routes, accompanied by camelids, long before the Spanish conquistador crossed with his armies towards the south.

It has yet to be discovered what secret messages these indigenous peoples of the Tiawanacu culture wanted to leave us, who used the small oases; such as Pintados, Tiliviche and Huatacondo, among others; as stops and supply centers along their routes through the plains of the Pampa del Tamarugal, connecting the coast with the valleys, ravines and highlands of the Altiplano.

One of the greatest discoveries was recently made by the Chilean architect Luis Briones, who checked through Google Earth images of the extensive pre-Inca longitudinal trail between Arica and San Pedro de Atacama, when he discovered a circular shape on this remote road.

Over the coming months the Geoglifos de Pintados will open a visitor center, self-guided trails with observation posts, a museum and install signage.

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