We visited two archeological sites where the first human groups inhabited the Atacama desert, learning that they lived as communities. The first has been partially unearthed and gives a clear indication of the close proximity of the living arrangements. The winds here are unbelievable, almost blowing us over. The earliest settlements in the Atacameno region go back to around 9000 - 8500 B.C. and the process of domestication of plants and animals was consolidated during the "Formative Period" of 1500 B.C. to 400 A.C. As the river changed direction, the people moved and began to build on higher ground with their gardens below them by the river. Archeologists once thought that the villages built on higher ground (Pukaras) were fortresses, however Victor (our guide) posed this question: "If this is indeed a fortress, why would the people of this village build high and cut themselves off from their water source and their food during times of battle?" It is also interesting that the desert people (Atacameno) knew how to pump water uphill 1000 years before the first recorded invention of the hydraulic pump.
Above: The view across the desert; the original village..each circle represents a home; recreation of the circular home
Below: The move to follow the river and building on higher ground with lush gardens in the oasis below
Below: More visuals of the lovely town of San Pedro
No comments:
Post a Comment