Cerro de los Burros, Archaeological mountain site near Playa Hermosa, Uruguay
Cerro de los Burros is a tree-covered mountain near Playa Hermosa with a summit rising about 170 meters above sea level that provides wide views of the surrounding landscape. The slopes are crisscrossed with hiking paths that lead through forested areas to the top, where visitors can see the Atlantic Ocean, the Sierra de las Ánimas range, and Cerro Pan de Azúcar.
Archaeological research in the 1950s revealed over 15000 stone artifacts scattered across the mountain, indicating that people lived in this area around 10000 BC. These findings show that the site served as a significant settlement location during ancient times.
The hill takes its name from donkeys that once roamed its slopes as part of local pastoral life, a memory preserved in its designation as a protected site. Visitors walking the trails today connect with this past through the landscape itself.
The hiking paths are accessible from Avenida 25 Metros and lead visitors on a round-trip walk to the summit and back in roughly 90 minutes. Wearing comfortable hiking boots and watching the weather is helpful, since the slopes can become slippery after rain.
Four distinct archaeological deposits were found on the mountain, each containing different layers of ancient occupation across the site. Among the discoveries were projectile points made from riolite, a stone type found specifically in this region.
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