Encaint valle, Cultural heritage site in Ovalle, Chile.
Valle del Encanto is an archaeological site with numerous petroglyphs and rock paintings scattered across three hectares of rocky terrain in the Coquimbo region. The artworks depict various motifs created by artists from multiple periods of ancient occupation.
The site shows evidence of hunter-gatherer groups from around 2000 BCE and later Molle culture settlements between 500-700 CE. The rock art was created over many centuries as different peoples inhabited the valley.
The rock art displays human faces with headdresses and geometric designs that define the Limari artistic tradition. These works offer insight into how ancient people expressed themselves through the figures and patterns they created.
The site lies about ten kilometers west of Ovalle and is accessible via route D-45. Parking facilities, picnic areas, and marked trails make it easy to explore the archaeological remains.
The valley contains unusual cup-shaped stone formations called piedras tacitas that vary in size. These mysterious indentations were likely carved into the rock for ritual or practical purposes.
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