Group of sites centred in the area of the headwaters of the Magdalena River in the highlands of Colombia. Though pottery, wattle and daub dwellings, and evidence of irrigation and terracing indicate a long cultural sequence in the region, San Agustin is most notable for its mounds and monumental statuary. Earth mounds here commonly have internal stone-lined passageways and chambers, some of which contain sculpture which suggests their use as places of worship as well as burial. Sculptures are rendered in a variety of techniques but are usually freestanding stelae and can be up to four metres high. Two artistic themes in particular are characteristic of these stone works: (1) the anthropomorphic/zoomorphic being with exaggerated feline fangs and (2) the ‘alter ego’ indicated either by a small figure on the back or head of the main statue or by a man holding a baby in front of him. Though stylistic comparisons are often made with Chavin, these themes have strong parallels in Olmec iconography. Dates are from ¿550 bc into historic times.
The Macmillan dictionary of archaeology, Ruth D. Whitehouse, 1983Copied