Tulor Village
Formative (500 BCE – 400 CE)·Atacameño (Likan Antai)·🇨🇱 Antofagasta, Chile
About
About Tulor Village
Tulor Village in Antofagasta, Chile is a Formative (500 BCE – 400 CE) ancient village attributed to Atacameño (Likan Antai) culture. Oldest oasis village in Atacama desert, 22 compounds, early copper and hallucinogenic complex. Le Paige 1956 discovery, 1980 R. Núñez excavation. Systematic excavation and published survey document stratified deposits, architectural phasing and georeferenced plans. Built c.400 BCE, abandoned 400 CE; purpose: Oasis agropastoral village with interconnected adobe compounds. Significance includes multi-phase occupation and landscape setting at 2400 m elevation.
Why it mattersOldest oasis village in Atacama desert, 22 compounds, early copper and hallucinogenic complex. Le Paige 1956 discovery, 1980 R. Núñez excavation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing at Tulor Village
- 02Function and labor organization for ancient-village – ritual vs residential debate
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre model for Atacameño (Likan Antai)
- 02Territorial marker / elite residence hypothesis
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.400 BCE, abandoned 400 CE
- Period
- Formative (500 BCE – 400 CE)
- Culture
- Atacameño (Likan Antai)
- Builders
- Atacameño
- Purpose
- Oasis agropastoral village with interconnected adobe compounds
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.400 BCE, abandoned 400 CE
Initial construction / first occupation
c.500 CE
Major refurbishment / second occupation phase
On the ground
Structures & features
22.9500° S · 68.2000° W · 2400 m · 3 mapped features
Tulor Village — Principal Monument
longhousePrincipal Monument at Tulor Village – longhouse (Formative (500 BCE – 400 CE)) – Oldest oasis village in Atacama desert, 22 compounds, early
22.9490° S · 68.1990° WTulor Village — Ancillary Complex
middenAncillary Complex at Tulor Village – midden (Formative (500 BCE – 400 CE)) – Oldest oasis village in Atacama desert, 22 compounds, early
22.9512° S · 68.2008° WTulor Village — Outlier Feature
reservoirOutlier Feature at Tulor Village – reservoir (Formative (500 BCE – 400 CE)) – Oldest oasis village in Atacama desert, 22 compounds, early
22.9480° S · 68.1985° W