Mysteria
Taruca Rock Art — Panel North (Atacama, Chile)

Taruca Rock Art — Panel North (Atacama, Chile)

Taruca Panel N

Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE)·Palaeolithic to Iron Age·🇨🇱 Antofagasta, Taruca, Chile

About

About Taruca Rock Art — Panel North (Atacama, Chile)

Taruca Rock Art — Panel North (Atacama, Chile) in Antofagasta, Taruca, Chile is a Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE) rock art attributed to Palaeolithic to Iron Age. Systematic survey and coring document architectural phasing. The site includes a principal platform and workshop area. Dimensions panel 8.5 m × 3.2 m; shelter 28 m wide × 12 m deep; area 2.4 ha. Excavation excavated; condition preserved. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.

Why it mattersKey Palaeolithic to Iron Age rock-art with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 2800 m elevation.

Open questions

Mysteries & theories

Mysteries

  1. 01Function and labor organization
  2. 02Construction technique

Theories

  1. 01Ritual landscape model
  2. 02Ceremonial centre

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

History

How it came to be

Built
c. 15000 BCE
Period
Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE)
Culture
Palaeolithic to Iron Age
Purpose
Rock art panel and ritual gallery
Excavation
Excavated
  1. c. 15000 BCE

    Initial construction / foundation

  2. c. 1165 BCE

    Major refurbishment / second phase

  3. 1946

    Antiquarian record, modern excavation from 1960s

On the ground

Structures & features

22.3000° S · 68.5000° W · 2800 m · 3 mapped features

  • Main Painted Panel

    panel

    Main Painted Panel at Taruca Rock Art — Panel North (Atacama, Chile) — panel with stratified deposits

    22.2980° S · 68.4995° W
  • Upper Gallery Niche

    gallery

    Upper Gallery Niche at Taruca Rock Art — Panel North (Atacama, Chile) — gallery with stratified deposits

    22.2977° S · 68.4996° W
  • Ancillary Engraving Cluster

    engraving

    Ancillary Engraving Cluster at Taruca Rock Art — Panel North (Atacama, Chile) — engraving with stratified deposits

    22.3009° S · 68.5002° W

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