Having spent yesterday at the UNESCO park (easy access, well signed, good museum) with all those mysterious sculptures, today we set off early from our luxurious hotel to walk to some sculptures ‘in the wild’ (ie where they were found). Twenty-five minutes, said Google Maps. Hah! The only other tourists arrived by horse so that tells you something about accessibility. We had a map which Charlie had drawn for us – no signs otherwise. An hour later, having slogged up a never-ending stony track, we arrived (66 flights of stairs said Fitbit). And how glad we were to make it. These are the only sculptures with clear remnants of colour. We found them guarding a large tomb, and overlooking a beautiful view (the picture does not do the view justice). Just us, the sculptures and three horse riders who were panting from the short walk between the entrance where they had to dismount, and the sculptures themselves.
Do I detect a bit of smugness when referring to the horse riders’ lack of fitness?! Carvings are marvellous
Well, maybe just the tiniest bit of ‘ young people today’ sort of stuff. We were v pleased to have made a pretty strenuous climb and these statues are special I think – the colour gives a new dimension
Amazing sculptures! Last one particularly intriguing – owl, elephant(!) or fantastic beast, do you think?
Definitely a bird – with a snake in its beak I think. Seems to be the image used by San Agustin local council – make of that what you will!
It’s an eagle with a snake – we were told. Common imagery for original inhabitants who split everything into things of the air, the earth etc of which some we’re good (air – eagles) and some not (earth – snakes). It’s more sophisticated than that but can’t fully recollect!
They look fascinating whatever they are.
Fascinating and v v strange…