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Petroglyphs

Petroglyphs of Talampaya

Petroglyphs of Puerta de Talampaya

Within the astounding scenery of the Talampaya National Park, there are 1,500 year-old petroglyphs and collective mortars carved into the rocks which bear testimony to the activities and beliefs of early inhabitants of the region.

The radiocarbon dates obtained in remains associated with dwellings and burials indicate that the human occupations in the area correspond to the period between 640 BC and 1180 AD.

Talampaya is one of the most important rock art sites in Argentina. The petroglyphs were engraved with quartz or granite points on the natural dark patina of manganese dioxide (or desert varnish) that covers some rock faces.

The inscriptions and petroglyphs at the site called Puerta de Talampaya – the first station where the touristic vehicles stop on the excursion through the Talampaya Canyon – are assumed to correspond to La Aguada Culture, between 500 and 1000 AD.

The petroglyphs with anthropomorphic, zoomorphic and geometric motifs include stylized human forms (men with "spacesuit helmets" or with "butterfly wings"), camelids or other animals, footprints, bird tracks, symmetrical figures, zigzag and cruciform patterns.

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Couple with "butterfly wings". In the sliding images, you can see the rock where these petroglyphs are located.

Anthropomorphic figure

Symmetrical petroglyph

Man with a herd of camelids

Geometric patterns

Herd near a river

Collective mortars carved into the rock

© Texts and photos: Haupt & Binder.
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Recommended trips and tours


Location, access:

Talampaya National Park
Located in the south of the province of La Rioja, on the border with San Juan, about 60 km from the city of Villa Unión. It is accessed via National Route Nº 76 that crosses the park.

Entrance, service area, offices to book excursions, restaurant, handicrafts:
Location on map

Talampaya (which means "dry river of the tala" - a local tree) can be visited all year round. It is advisable to wear light and warm clothing both in winter and summer due to the wide temperature range, which can reach -10º C in winter and 45º C in summer.

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Compilation of information, editing, translations, photos: Universes in Universe, unless otherwise indicated


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