Candelabra De Los Andes

Location:
Pisco, Peru

Ruin

By Erin Helland

An image carved into the sandstone cliffs along the Pisco Bay is said to be one of the most mysterious archeological sights in South America. It is often called the Candelabra de los Andes, which translates to Candlestick of the Andes, because of its resemblance to a candlestick. It can be seen from sea from as far as 12 miles.

It is often attributed to the Paracas Culture of the first millennium BC, but in reality no one is sure exactly when or why it was made. Because of this, there are many conspiracy theories regarding the carving. One of the stranger and more far fetched theories was begun by a man named Frank Joseph. He suggested that it resembles jimson, which is a plant sometimes used as a hallucinogenic drug. He thought that those who made the carving journeyed to Northern California, the nearest location jimson can be found, and used the carving as a way to help them navigate their way home.

It is doubtful we will ever know the real origin of this carving. However, we can be sure that the mystery surrounding this carving will always be part of what draws so many tourists to the site.