travel south america chile ovalle monumento nacional valle del encanto


The Monumento Nacional Valle del Encanto (Enchanted Valley National Monument) is located in the Coquimbo Region about 10 km west of Ovalle.
It is south of the Limari River in a dry ravine of the Punitaqui estuary and contains various archaeological traces of pre-Hispanic cultures.
The petroglphs and pictographs are said to be characteristic of the Molle culture... 500 to 700 AD.
The area also contains traces of hunting groups from around 2000 BC.

"Tacitas stones," teacup stones, with cup-sized bore holes were thought to be used for both grinding and storing of food.

I visited it on a hot dry afternoon in March and found it hard to picture it as a site of a community because of its apparent lack of water.
However, there was a rather large dry arroyo running through the valley that may have been a good water source back in history.
The area was currently experiencing a very dry year.

I was also suprised at the lack of protection from the elements for the petroglyphs as well as a lack of security in general for the whole site.
If these petroglyphs are such an important part of Chile's history, I would expect more protection from both weather and tourists.

LINK TO WIKIPEDIA'S WEB PAGE ON CHILE

LINK TO WIKIPEDIA'S WEB PAGE ON OVALLE

LINK TO FACEBOOK'S WEB PAGE ON ENCHANTED VALLEY

LINK TO WIKIPEDIA'S WEB PAGE ON ENCHANTED VALLEY

TRAVEL: March, 2024...


This location has earned an over-all three-and-a-half star (good+) rating from
Travel Fanatics Unlimited
***1/2

unless noted otherwise all images copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc

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world travel south america chile ovalle enchanted valley around the area ****

world travel south america chile ovalle enchanted valley petroglyphs & pictographs ****

world travel south america chile ovalle enchanted valley tacitas stones ****

copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc

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page last revised april 2024