Ciudad Perdida (Colombia)

Located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia, at an altitude between 900 and 1,200 meters, the Archaeological Park of Teyuna—known as Ciudad Perdida (Lost City)—is a complex of ancient ruins believed to have been founded by the Tayrona people around 800 CE. It was the largest city in the region at the time and is older than Machu Picchu.

Teyuna is the original name still used by the Indigenous communities who inhabit the area today and continue to preserve their culture. Ciudad Perdida is the name popularized by visitors. The archaeological site extends across approximately 30 hectares on the slopes of a hill overlooking the Buritaca River. It is surrounded by dense tropical forest and extraordinary biodiversity, with unique flora and fauna.

The city was abandoned around 1600 and remained hidden until it was rediscovered in 1972 by treasure hunters. The site consists of a network of settlements with terraces and structures connected by stone paths and retaining walls. It is believed to have housed around 1,000 people and served as the spiritual, political, and commercial center of the Tayrona civilization. However, the city’s original purpose and how it functioned in relative isolation deep in the mountains are remain poorly understood.

In 1977, the Colombian government declared it a protected reserve, and in 1979, it was designated a biosphere reserve. Today, visitors can hike to the site to learn more about Colombia’s pre-Columbian history and Tayrona culture.

Sacsayhuamán (Peru)

Near the city of Cusco, and easily accessible on foot, by public transportation, or by taxi, the massive stone complex of Sacsayhuamán is a marvel of pre-Hispanic engineering. Its name comes from Quechua and is often interpreted as “satisfied falcon.” It is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Inca Empire.

The complex covers an area of about 3,000 hectares, and its construction is estimated to have required the labor of some 25,000 workers over more than 90 years, beginning around 1350 CE under Inca Pachacútec and completed by his successor, Túpac Inca Yupanqui.

The walls of this cyclopean structure are made of enormous stones, some weighing over 100 tons, fitted together so precisely that not even a piece of paper can slide between them. Despite the stones’ size, no mortar was used, and it remains unclear how the Inca—without wheels or iron tools—were able to transport and assemble them with such accuracy.

Every June 24, the Inti Raymi ceremony, known as the Festival of the Sun, is celebrated here. In Inca times, thousands of people made pilgrimages to offer tributes, a tradition that continues today with colorful costumes, traditional dances, and a dramatic reenactment that has become a major cultural attraction.

According to Garcilaso de la Vega, this ceremonial fortress “was the greatest architectural work the Incas achieved at the height of their power.” The site’s purpose remains debated: some scholars believe it served military functions, while others suggest it was primarily religious or ceremonial.

Tiwanaku (Bolivia)

Located near the Lake Titicaca basin, Tiwanaku (or Tiahuanaco) was the capital of the Tiwanaku civilization between approximately 200 and 1000 CE. The Tiwanaku state dominated the high plains of the Altiplano, extending influence from the Peruvian coast to northern Bolivia and parts of northern Chile. It is believed to have been both a political and religious center.

One of the defining characteristics of Tiwanaku is its large open ceremonial spaces. Two main types of walls can be seen at the site: some made of massive, irregular stone blocks, and others of finely cut stones with straight edges. Many blocks were joined using metal clamps shaped like Ts and Is. The precision of certain cuts suggests the use of advanced tools and skills, admired even by the later Inca.

Perhaps the most striking structure is the monumental Gateway of the Sun, which stands 2.8 meters high and 3.8 meters wide. Carved from a single block of andesite, it features a double jamb and a richly decorated upper section with relief carvings of 48 winged figures—often interpreted as attendants or deities—surrounding a central staff-bearing figure, considered a precursor to the creator god Viracocha.

The Tiwanaku civilization collapsed around 1000 CE, likely due to prolonged droughts linked to climate change, as well as conflicts with emerging Aymara kingdoms.

4- Cueva de los Tayos (Ecuador)

In Ecuador, the Cueva de los Tayos is a cave system known for passages with remarkably straight, smooth walls carved into the rock. This geological formation, located about 460 kilometers from Quito and accessible only after an extensive trek, is estimated to be about 200 million years old.

The main entrance drops vertically about 63 meters and is roughly 2 meters wide. The caves drew international attention thanks to Juan Moricz, an Argentine explorer of Hungarian origin, whose claims about mysterious discoveries led the Ecuadorian and British governments to fund a major expedition in the 1970s. Moricz asserted that he had found metal plates engraved with what he believed to be a record of humanity’s history.

Some believe the caves hold evidence of a highly advanced ancient civilization. Although they are primarily famous for their unique geological—not archaeological—formations, the caves have inspired numerous theories about hidden treasures, lost technologies, and even extraterrestrial contact. Reports of stone artifacts and carvings have fueled speculation, and the site’s mystery has often been compared to that of the Nazca Lines.

Because many questions remain unanswered, some researchers have proposed further scientific expeditions to better understand the caves and separate verifiable evidence from legend.

References

Ciudad Perdida Santa Marta: https://ciudadperdidacolombia.com
Ciudad Perdida: https://ciudadperdida.co/es/ciudad-perdida
Saqsaywaman: https://www.culturacusco.gob.pe/parques/saqsaywaman/

Sacsayhuamán, una imponente joya de la ingeniería prehispánica: https://www.peru.travel/es/inspirate/sacsayhuaman-una-imponente-joya-de-la-ingenieria-prehispanica

Tiwanaku: https://tiwanaku.gob.bo

Tiwanaku: https://www.worldhistory.org/Tiwanaku/

La Cueva de los Tayos, la legendaria y misteriosa formación de Ecuador que despertó la fascinación del astronauta Neil Armstrong: https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-42104844

Qué oculta la Cueva de los Tayos en Ecuador: un enigma que desveló hasta a Neil Armstrong: https://www.infobae.com/america/america-latina/2021/08/21/que-oculta-la-cueva-de-los-tayos-en-ecuador-un-enigma-que-develo-hasta-a-neil-armstrong/