Chiribiquete, also known as the “House of Jaguars,” is an imposing plateau that rises majestically into the Sky within the Sierra de la Lindosa, an extensive region of dense jungle in the Amazon Rainforest in southern Colombia. It stands out not only for its exceptional natural beauty and extraordinary biodiversity but also for being an archaeological treasure that holds one of the oldest and most enigmatic secrets of the American continent.

Here lie the oldest rock paintings ever discovered on the American continent, and it is the most extensive archaeological site of its kind in the world, making it a unique and highly mysterious place.

These prehistoric rock paintings are not just pictograms but living chronicles. They document the evolution and development of the ancestors of a fascinating civilization that has inhabited the Amazon rainforest since time immemorial, and for whom it remains an indispensable homeland to this day. They convey to us, with impressive narrative power, the history and legacy of these people over millennia, from the last ice age to the present.

Created on the rocks of Chiribiquete, they tell of the ancient hunting of ice age animals, extinct for millennia, and guide us through the epochs, from the unfortunate encounters with the Spaniards and their devastating consequences to the subsequent conflicts during the rubber boom to the retreat into isolation.

These rock drawings are a window into the past of human history and evidence of the diverse and profound experiences of our ancestors on this continent. They are living testaments to the creativity, resilience, and cultural depth of the civilizations that live in the Amazon Rainforest, as well as an inexhaustible source of historical knowledge and insight that shows us how much there is still to learn about our past.

In this way, Chiribiquete not only transports us to a distant past but also connects us with a present full of mystery and wonder. It is a space where history and culture merge with nature in a special way, encouraging us to venture forth and uncover the hidden secrets of the Amazon and its mysterious inhabitants.

The Discovery: Art, History, and Mystery in the Amazon Rainforest

The tale of Chiribiquete National Park is truly captivating. It all began when Carlos Castaño-Uribe, flying his Cessna over the Amazon Rainforest in the 1980s, found himself diverted off course by a sudden storm. Through the clouds, a remarkable sight appeared before him: a table mountain emerging majestically from the rainforest below.

Intrigued, he circled the area, discovering an entire mountain range previously unmarked on any map. He decided to investigate this mysterious site further.

Returning a year later by helicopter, Castaño-Uribe discovered the mountain’s enigmatic pictograms stretching on an incredibly 9-mile-long sandstone rock wall, sparking a lifelong dedication to exploring Chiribiquete.

His efforts were instrumental in the national park’s establishment in 1989.

The rock art found within the park serves as a millennia-old history book, continually updated by the Indigenous inhabitants of the region. These ancient paintings, some dating back as far as 20,000 years using radiocarbon dating methods, showcase the enduring creativity and artistic prowess of the native communities. From the oldest depictions to those created as recently as the 1970s and some even younger the park’s rock art weaves a tale of art, history, and mystery, all hidden until recently deep within the heart of the Amazon Rainforest.

The Sistine Chapel of the Amazon Rainforest

The sandstone walls of Chiribiquete are painted with an impressive collection of over 75,000 petroglyphs and pictograms which reveal the fascinating story of humanity in the rainforest across the passage of millennia. These mesmerizing representations, carefully carved and painted into the steep rock walls, give us a revealing look at the deeply rooted beliefs, venerable traditions, and timeless narratives of the indigenous peoples to whom throughout human history the Amazon Rainforest has been their home.

They are not just a window into the past but also a homage to the universal creativity of the human mind, an impulse that has always sought to express thoughts and feelings through visual expressions. Studying these prehistoric artworks offers us a unique insight into the cognitive and cultural development of earlier societies, expanding our understanding of the human experience, and opening up new horizons for our understanding of our collective history.

A Realm of Magic and Wonder

The first inhabitants of the Amazon practiced their art on the cliffs of Chiribiquete, and these paintings are an extraordinary testament to their worldview. (Cosmovision) Chiribiquete is still considered mythical by several tribes and referred to as the “Great Homeland of the Animals.” Chiribiquete is still considered mythical by several tribes and referred to as the “Great Homeland of the Animals.” The diversity of often realistic motifs, as well as the use of the sites by uncontacted communities for ceremonies, illustrate that this is a magical, legendary place that is considered sacred by the tribes living there, and they demand that it not be made accessible to the public.

Nature, Art, Culture, and Traditions Indigenous Practices for a Sustainable Future

Chiribiquete is a region that intersects four biogeographic provinces: (Amazonas, Andes, Orinoco, and Guyana). This convergence has led to an extraordinary diversity of indigenous cultures, each with its unique traditions, languages, and knowledge of the rainforest.

The area has an exceptional biodiversity that has been meticulously preserved thanks to the wisdom and sustainable resource management of its indigenous inhabitants.

Various indigenous groups, including the Karijona, Nukak Maku, and Uitoto, have inhabited this land for thousands of years and possess a deep understanding of its ecosystems.

Their cultural practices, such as traditional hunting, gathering, and sustainable resource management, have significantly contributed to maintaining the region’s pristine wilderness and wildlife. These communities offer a vital example of living in harmony with the environment. Their deep-rooted connection to the land demonstrates how they value and preserve resources and understand the importance of long-term preservation. We can learn a lot from the traditional knowledge passed down through generations about plants, agroforestry, and how to live off the forest without destroying it.

Traces in the Amazon: The Legacy of the Past and the Power of Art

It was long believed that America was not populated by humans 20,000 years ago. However, Chiribiquete and findings of cave paintings in Chile and Brazil from the same period prove the contrary.

The first pictograms appeared during the last Ice Age, including representations of animals that have long been extinct and were previously unknown to have existed in the Amazon. Chiribiquete is shrouded in mystery, but given the size of the site, it is speculated that it could have been a spiritual center, a kind of “Jerusalem of the Amazon.”

The exploration of this impressive complex is still in its early stages, promising many surprises and inviting fascinating hypotheses. Notably, recent times have revealed that there are uncontacted indigenous groups living in these mountains. These communities are believed to be the remaining descendants of the Karijona people long thought extinct, who have also been observed creating rock art.

The ancient paintings of the Serranía de La Lindosa are not just a collection of images; they are a living testament to the enduring power of art and the profound influence of human presence on Earth.

I have always been deeply fascinated by archaeological sites, and each one evokes a distinct emotion within me. Even after seeing them in countless pictures and photographs, it is a truly special experience to see them with your own eyes and feel their awe-inspiring presence when standing before them in person.

As far as I know, Chiribiquete might be one of the few, or perhaps even the only, site of such ancient origin still holding ceremonial significance.

Contemplating these prehistoric artworks on these weathered sandstone walls, with their mesmerizing charm and crude beauty that transcend both time and the limitations of language, one can’t help but cultivate empathy and feel deeply connected to the people who created them.

Chiribiquete is an enigmatic, mysterious site of immense cultural significance; it seems to be a bridge to communicate with ancestral spirits. It is a sacred place that whispers stories of the past, invites reflection on the present, and awakens a sense of reverence and respect for life and nature.”

Visit anturiongallery.com.