Finca 6 Archaeological Site
Stone Spheres
STONE SPHERES, COSTA RICA One of the strangest mysteries in archaeology was discovered in the Diquis Delta of Costa Rica in the 1930s; a collection of almost perfect spherical orbs ranging in size from a few centimetres to over two metres in diameter. Believed to have been created between 200BC and 1600BC, these monolithic sculptures are made by human hands, with granodiorite, a hard, igneous stone. Locals call these spheres 'Las Bolas' and they can be found in many parts of Costa Rica. Perhaps the best place to learn more about
them is Finca 6 Archaeological Site in Palmar Sur. Out of around 300 stone spheres in Costa Rica, more than 10 per cent of them lie on this 10-acre property which is one of the few places in Costa Rica where archaeologists have found spheres that were clearly associated with other structures. It’s also one of the few sites where they’ve found well-preserved spheres still in their original location. Of course legends and folklore have added more to the enigma of the stones. Some believe they came from Atlantis and were polished EASTER ISLAND, CHILE Few areas in the world possess a more mystical and magnetic vibe than this tiny speck of land off Chile. Rapa Nui to its native Polynesian inhabitants, Easter Island is home to some of the most bizarre statues in the world. They reveal their creators to be master craftsmen and engineers. The 887 giant Moai rock statues, the lightest weighing 86 tons, were built and then moved around from platform to platform, on the island. The exact purpose of these statues, the role they played in the ancient civilization of Easter Island and the
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smooth by the water, others think they’re the work of aliens. Some stories from the Bribri culture suggest that Tara (or Tlatchque), the god of thunder, used a giant blowpipe to shoot these cannonballs at the gods of the winds and hurricanes in order to drive them away. Legends and laboratories, both have failed in providing a conclusive explanation about these icons of Costa Rica's cultural identity. way they may have been constructed and transported, remains a mystery. Measuring 14 miles long by seven miles wide, the island was formed by a series of volcanic eruptions. In addition to its hilly terrain, it contains many subterranean caves with corridors that extend deep into mountains of volcanic rock. But Easter Island is much more than an open-air museum. Diving, snorkelling and surfing are other excellent activities one can engage in. There's no better way to explore the island than on foot, from a bike saddle or, if you are familiar with it, on horseback. But if in addition to history, sun and surf is your scene, a couple of Moai statues superb expanses of white sand will make your trip truly memorable.
November 2015
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