Archeological Tour

By Author: Santiago Chile
Total Articles: 4
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One of San Pedro de Atacama most popular tour is the archeological tour, a history journey though the Chilean archeological capital, San Pedro de Atacama, visiting the Tulor village, the Quitor Pukara and the archeology Museum in San Pedro de Atacama.
TULOR VILLAGE
Located at 10 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama. This pre-Columbian village is an example of the sedentary lifestyle of the region. You may visit the area on your own or take an excursion leaving from San Pedro de Atacama. This small village is around 3.000 years old. It had a population of approximately 150 to 200 inhabitants during that period. Their main activity was ceramic, textile, agriculture, and livestock farming, like San Pedro de Atacama. The architecture of the time had circular clay buildings, joined together, and with patios and passageways that communicated with one another.
There's a lot of wind in San Pedro de Atacama that makes sand buried this village and today on this location you can find a museum that has reproduced the original homes with the same elements of the period. There is a viewpoint that allows you to see the ...
... formation of San Pedro de Atacama.
PUKARÁ DE QUITOR

This impressive construction in San Pedro de Atacama dates back to the XII century, and is made up blocks built with large rocks alternating with smaller ones, and joined with mud. Terracing and retaining wall techniques were used in its construction and around 200 structures can be seen, some larger than others. Its name comes from a pre-Hispanic agricultural group Ayllu de Quitor, whose farming fields started at the foot of the Pukara and fed by the San Pedro de Atacama River. Its location and structure was mainly for defensive and strategic purposes for San Pedro de Atacama, and as an ancient route, that would later be occupied by the Inca when they dominate San Pedro de Atacama.

The Spaniards who rode horses and carried guns invaded it in 1540. The natives had never seen horses, metal helmets or guns, which made it easy for the Spaniards to conquer them. All the native chiefs from San Pedro de Atacama were beheaded.

The Pukará de Quitor, in San Pedro de Atacama, was restored in 1981 and was declared a National Monument in 1982.
PADRE LE PAIGE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

This museum has been named after its founder, a Jesuit who arrived in 1955 to take over the parish in San Pedro de Atacama. This man performed an in depth archaeological study collecting diverse indigenous objects.

After the death of father Le Paige, this university has remained in charge of the conservation of these objects as well as of the continuous investigation in San Pedro de Atacama. You can currently see a sample of how the Atacamanean villages evolved and how the Tiawanaku, Inca, and Spanish cultures influenced them. This sample holds over 380,000 archaeological specimens that include ceramic, clothing, precious metals, textiles, mummies, and engravings.

We invite you to visit San Pedro de Atacama, and enjoy all the beautiful tourist attractions San Pedro de Atacama have to offer.