A golden breast ornament from the Tolima culture, Colombia, depicting a bird-human hybrid with an openwork central section and an anchor-like base (10.5 x 19.2 cm, 184 g). Museo del Oro, Bogotá, Colombia. - Book: Picture 63 - Colombia - 1973

‘Tierradentro’ (land that lies within) forms part of the area now inhabited by the Paez people. Links are thought to exist between the cultures of San Agustín and Tierradentro; in any case, similar guardian figures are found at both sites. Tierradentro, however, occupies a special place amongst pre-Columbian cultures because of its burial chambers: caverns carved out of chalk sandstone, measuring up to 70 square metres, which are entirely painted with geometric patterns. The predominant colour of red serves as a reminder that in Mexico, too, the colour of the dead is red. - Book: Picture 60 - Colombia - 1977

"Tierradentro" (land that lies inside) belongs to the present settlement area of the Páez Indians. It is assumed that there is a connection between the cultures of San Agustín and Tierradentro, but in any case similar guardian figures can be found in both places. Tierradentro occupies a special place among the pre-Columbian cultures, however, because of its burial chambers: caverns of up to 70 square metres, hewn in chalk sandstone and completely painted with geometric ornaments. The predominant red colour reminds us that the colour of the dead is red in Mexico too. - Detail of burial chamber 10. - 1977

"Tierradentro" (land that lies inside) belongs to the present settlement area of the Páez Indians. It is assumed that there is a connection between the cultures of San Agustín and Tierradentro, but in any case similar guardian figures can be found in both places. Tierradentro occupies a special place among the pre-Columbian cultures, however, because of its burial chambers: caverns of up to 70 square metres, hewn in chalk sandstone and completely painted with geometric ornaments. The predominant red colour reminds us that the colour of the dead is red in Mexico too. - Detail of burial chamber 1. - 1977

Monolithic statue from the ‘archaeological park’ of San Agustín (Huila Department, Colombia). The frequent depiction of human figures with big cat teeth bears witness to the jaguar cult that once prevailed here and, in conjunction with the child, suggests cannibalistic rites. The heyday of this culture is thought to have been around the time of Christ’s birth: by the time the Spanish arrived, it had long since died out. - Book: Picture 56 - Colombia - 1973

This statue is thought to depict a sun god holding two mazas (ceremonial staffs) in his hands and wearing the symbol of the tree of life on his headband. The various styles demonstrate that San Agustín served as a place of worship for centuries. Luis Duque Gomez, who has been looking after the ‘Parque’ for 25 years, distinguishes three phases. It remains a mystery why this culture did not spread to its wider surroundings, as other cultures in South America did. - Book: Picture 59 - Colombia - 1973

Monolithic statues from the "archaeological park" of San Agustín (Huila department, Colombia). The heyday of this culture is assumed to be around the birth of Christ: when the Spaniards arrived, it had long since ceased to exist. - 1977

Monolithic statues from the "archaeological park" of San Agustín (Huila department, Colombia). The heyday of this culture is assumed t to be around the birth of Christ: when the Spaniards arrived, it had long since ceased to exist. - Tumulus B - height of the figure 1.85 m. - 1977

The statue known as ‘EI Tablón’ was interpreted as a moon goddess by the German archaeologist K. Th. Preuß, who worked in San Agustín in 1913–1914: today, the prevailing view is that it depicts a dignitary bearing the insignia of his power. The variety of styles attests to the fact that San Agustín served as a place of worship for centuries. Luis Duque Gomez, who has been looking after the ‘Parque’ for 25 years, distinguishes three phases. It remains a mystery why this culture did not spread to its wider surroundings, as other cultures in South America did. - Book: Picture 58 - Colombia - 1977

Monolithic statues from the "archaeological park" of San Agustín (Huila department, Colombia). The heyday of this culture is assumed to be around the birth of Christ. - "El tablón" - coffin lid. - 1977

San Agustín culture, Colombia. A monolithic statue of a man with the ‘Second Self’, photographed at the Alto de las Piedras. - Book: Picture 43 - Colombia - 1977

Monolithic statues from the "archaeological park" of San Agustín (Huila department, Colombia). The heyday of this culture is assumed to be around the birth of Christ: when the Spaniards arrived, it had long since ceased to exist. - Tumulus 8 - The figure is 60 cm high, holding two fish in her hands. - 1977

Monolithic statues from the "archaeological park" of San Agustín (Huila department, Colombia). The heyday of this culture is assumed to be around the birth of Christ. - Tumulus B - The crocodile measures 2.40 m x 0.96 m - 1977

Monolithic statues from the "archaeological park" of San Agustín (Huila department, Colombia). The heyday of this culture is assumed to be around the birth of Christ. - Statue with a vessel in his hands. - 1977

Foot bowl from the Tuncahuán-Carchi culture with a bird motif (diameter 21 cm, height 8.5 cm). Museo del Banco Central del Ecuador, Ouito. - Book: Picture 51 - Ecuador - 1977

Bowl with monkeys - Tuncahuan culture - 500 BC to 500 AD - negative painting of beeswax and honey - diameter 19cm, height 8.5cm - Museo Banco Central Quito, Ecuador - 1977

Vase from the Panzaleo culture with negative ornamentation (top diameter 13.5 cm, height 19 cm). The Panzaleo culture flourished in the provinces of Tungurahua and Cotopaxi between 500 BC and 500 AD. Museo del Banco Central del Ecuador, Ouito. - Book: Picture 52 - Ecuador - 1977

Cañari ‘horseman-shaped’ vessel, Cañar and Azuay provinces, Ecuador (height 16 cm). Period of Integration, 500 to 1400 AD. Museo del Banco Central del Ecuador, Quito. - Book: Picture 69 - Ecuador - 1977

Ceramics of the culture Tacalshapa in the provinces of Azuay and Cañar, Ecuador - Integration period from 500 to 1400 A.D. - Height 16 cm - Museo Banco Central Quito - 1977

Ceramics of the culture Tacalshapa in the provinces of Azuay and Cañar, Ecuador - Integration period from 500 to 1400 A.D. - Height 23 cm - Museo Banco Central Quito - 1977

‘The Coca Chewer’. Clay figurine (height 32 cm) from the Carchi culture, Imbabura and Carchi provinces, Ecuador. Museo del Banco Central del Ecuador, Quito. - Book: Picture 75 - Ecuador - 1977

Vase in the shape of a nursing woman (height 24.5 cm) from the Carchi culture, Ecuador. Museo del Banco Central del Ecuador, Quito. - Book: Picture 77 - Ecuador - 1977

Pre-Columbian pottery - Ceramics Jama-Coaque culture (coast) - Height 39,5cm - Museo Banco Central del Ecuador, Quito - 1977

Pre-Columbian pottery - Ceramics Bahia culture - Manabi province - Height 64cm - Museo Banco Central del Ecuador, Quito - 1977

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