Samaypata Archaeological Site

Samaypata Archaeological Site

The Samaypata Archaeological Site consists of two parts: the El Fuerte ruins are located on the eastern side of the Andes Mountains in Bolivia, at an altitude of approximately 1,900 meters; while the small town ruins of Samaypata are situated between the cities of Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, about 6 kilometers apart from each other. The entire architectural complex covers an area of around 40 hectares. On December 2, 1998, at the World Heritage Committee meeting held in Tokyo, Japan, the site was inscribed as a “World Heritage” site.

The site contains numerous carvings, believed to be the ceremonial center of an ancient town (from the 14th to 16th centuries). The mountain ranges in the southern highlands form the administrative and residential areas. The elevated position of the town and the uniquely carved rocks bear witness to prehistoric traditions and beliefs, unlike anything found elsewhere in the Americas. Archaeologists have discovered an archaeological complex beneath the dense semi-tropical vegetation growing over the rocks. The Samaypata Archaeological Site clearly reveals the location where the Incas held ceremonies, as well as residential remains of early settlers who migrated from the highlands and eastern lowland regions.