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Aldea de Tulor
(half day)
Aldea de Tulor
Located 10 km southeast from San Pedro de Atacama, between the emblematic Cordillera de la Sal and the sand dunes of the salar depression, and discovered in 1956 by the Father Gustavo le Paige, this buried settlement of circular buildings with walls reaching almost 2 meters in height and joined by passageways and open yards. It is one of the oldest human settlements on salt flats and also provides evidence of progressive desertification of the area.
The village of Tulor - which means 'sleep' in the Kunza language - housed 200 people on the shores of the San Pedro River from 800 B.C. to 300 A.D. when the oasis dried up and desert dunes advanced. The site contains 106 circular adobe structures that were originally covered by thatched roofs, providing shelter from harsh sun during the day and the biting cold at night.
Only 10% of the village has been excavated (during 1982) and there is a walkway and museum where some of the discoveries made here can be found. Currently it is administered by the local Atacameño community of Coyo in association with CONAF.
The footpath has a length of 0.62 miles, taking about one hour. It is an excellent long walk along the most important archaeological areas. Part of the Valle de la Luna section of the Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos, best visited as part of an afternoon excursion for the recommended sunset.
Tulor was rediscovered after the layer of sand on top of it - which preserved it in pristine condition - was displaced by wind. Now, that same wind, along with infrequent but destructive rainfall, is reportedly destroying the remains of one of the Atacama Desert's most important archaeological sites, which is being eroded at a claimed rate of two to four centimetres every year. Conservation work is however underway to protect the remains which are exposed.
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