The Lost City of Guayabo
Costa Rica is not particularly known for its archeological sites and ancient cultures. Guayabo can be found in the province of Cartago, on the slopes of Turrialba Volcano, about 19 kms away from the city of Cartago. It has been put under protection since 1973 has a size of 217.9 hectares. The offices are located close to the entrance of the park, where you will be shown the start of a path that goes down to the River Guayabo. In the Monument itself, you will see the archaeological research station, an exhibition room, a viewing point from which the whole archaeological area can be seen. There is a small but pleasant picnic area with tables, toilets and drinking water. You will need to bring your own food for this trip.
Guayabo cannot compare with the giants found in Mexico, Guatemala or others of South America, but it is the most important archeological site of the country. Because of its geographic location, Costa Rica worked as a meeting place between South and North, with pre-colombian cultures from Mexico and Peru or Colombia meeting here while leaving some of their influence. According to archeologists, it seems to have been occupied from the year 1000 B.C. although the local chiefdom developed mostly around 300 to 700 A.D
The excavated area so far is of about 20 hectares: Archeologists estimate that half of the village area still awaits excavation. Mounds, terraces, paved roads, bridges and aqueducts have been so far discovered, as well as tombs, water tanks, some monoliths and petroglyphs which are carved with scripture which is yet to be deciphered, and some pottery and sculptures. The mounds are circular in shape and varied in size, between 50 cm to 4,5 meters high with diameters exceeding 30 meters. It is assumed that they form the base of what were then dwellings, houses or huts made of perishable material. The roads, also apparently used as a form of drainage system, were made of rocks and can be traced going in all direction up to quite a few kilometers away before they disappear in the forest. The aqueducts, still functioning today, are proof that the civilization that built did know what they were doing and were master builders; it appears that they worked like closed and opened canals, some of which led the water to the water-tanks.
The tombs are found in more than one place, it seems that there were several burying sites. They consist of flat stones used to mark the graves. High-quality examples of pottery, gold, and stone workmanship that came from this site can be seen on display at the National Museum.
The wild life of the region is not without its appeal and magic: Blue Morpho butterflies, Coral Snakes, Nine Banded Armadillos, and small wild cats like the Margay are often spotted. Many species of Orchids are waiting to be admired in this magical setting, while birds like Keel-Billed Toucans and Montezuma Oropendolas brush the sky with their tropical colorful plumage.
by Mireille Darras.
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