The Tombs of Tierradentro

Location:
Tierradentro, Colombia

Ruin

By Lorraine Caputo

Four major archaeological sites, all dating from 600 to 900 A.D., comprise Tierradentro: three burial and one of statures. The tombs were carved by hand from volcanic rock. Some are up to 3 meters (ten feet) deep. Most are painted within, with geometric and figurative designs in red, black, orange, grey, purple and yellow on white. A few also contain burial urns. Segovia, the first site from the museum, is the crown jewel of the complex. Thirty tombs are open; only 16 are lit. Numbers 8 to 12 are the most impressive. Alto del Duende, the next site, consists of four crypts. The third grouping, El Tablón, is statues stylistically similar to those of San Augustín. Beyond San Andrés Pisimbalá is Alto de San Andrés with more tombs.

Getting There
The paths connecting the sites are well signed, and the guards at each site can point the way. You can reach each by foot.

Travel Tips: Flash photos of the tombs are not allowed. Only a few tombs are lit, and only those at Segovia.

The times between each site are as follow: Museo Etnográfico to Segovia, 20 minutes; Segovia to El Duende, 15 minutes; El Duende to El Tablón, 40 minutes; El Tablón to Alto de San Andrés, 30 minutes. The turn-off for the path to Alto de San Andrés is midways between Parque Arqueológico and the village; this can be done as a separate hike. If you do the trek reversed, going from San Andrés de Pisimbalá to El Tablón, Alto del Duende and Segovia, then the walk will be mostly downhill.

Check at Parque Arqueológico for availability of horses (be sure they are in good condition); typical charge is $2.10 per hour.

Price Description: $3.70 for adults, children under 15 free. The ticket is good for the museums, also, and is valid for three days.

Relative price: Budget

Travel Skills: beginner/easy.

You Need to Bring: As most of the tombs are unlit, a flashlight. Water and food; rain gear and or sunscreen, depending on the weather.

Aguacate is another tomb site, over the mountain behind the Archaeological Museum. It is in poor repair and unlit; the path is especially bad after rains, with mud calf-deep (or more). Rubber boots are recommended.

The Archaeological Museum and the Ethnographic Museum. The church in San Andrés de Pisimbalá, and the markets of neighboring indigenous villages, especially Inzá.