Azapa Cerro Belén Extension Geoglyphs (Belén Hillside North)
Cerro Belén North Panels · Azapa Belén Figures
Formative (500 BCE–800 CE)·Alto Ramírez–Cabuza·🇨🇱 Arica y Parinacota, Azapa Valley mid-reaches, Cerro Belén north slope (km 18), Chile
About
About Azapa Cerro Belén Extension Geoglyphs (Belén Hillside North)
North-facing 15° hillside of Cerro Belén at km 18, 120 m above valley floor, with 10 figures: 18-m double-headed camelid, 26-m fret, and 35-m avenue with central cairn line. Slope pavement thick; figures show two tones: outer cleared + inner additive gravel for double-head effect. Avenue leads to pass toward Lluta; intervisible with Cerro Sombrero 8 km west. Cabuza ceramics in surface transects.
Why it mattersKey geoglyph illustrating Alto Ramírez–Cabuza hydraulic/geoglyph/kite/kurgan tradition in Arica y Parinacota, Azapa Valley mid-reaches, Cerro Belén north slope (km 18).
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Double-headed camelid meaning
Theories
- 01Mid-valley caravan funnel
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.500 BCE–800 CE
- Period
- Formative (500 BCE–800 CE)
- Culture
- Alto Ramírez–Cabuza
- Purpose
- Hillside caravan alignment toward Azapa head
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.500 BCE–800 CE
Initial construction
2020
Drone/UAV high-resolution mapping and heritage inventory
On the ground
Structures & features
18.5200° S · 70.1000° W · 480 m · 3 mapped features
Double-Headed Camelid (18 m)
geoglyph18-m bichrome double-headed camelid
18.5190° S · 70.0990° WFret Panel (26 m)
geoglyph26-m fret geometric
18.5210° S · 70.1010° WBelén Avenue (35 m)
earthwork35-m cairn-lined avenue
18.5190° S · 70.0990° W