Ancient Ruins Of Quilmes: Largest Pre-Colombian Settlement In Argentina

MessageToEagle.com – Once in the past, Quilmes was a great pre-Columbian city in northern Argentina. Brutal invasion by the Spaniards forced the Quilmes Indians to flee and abandon everything they owned. Before they left, they tried to defend their holy city, until the end.

Located in the Calchaquí Valleys, Tucumán Province, the ancient Quilmes ruins are the remains of the largest pre-Columbian settlement in Argentina.

The ruins were discovered in 1888 by Samuel Alejandro Lafone Quevedo, but it was first in 1897 these ancient structures were studied by the archaeologist Juan Bautista Ambrosetti.

It was ancient city, occupying about 30 hectares with high population density, complex socio-cultural structures and highly developed irrigation mechanisms. The area dates back to ca 850 AD and it is believed that about 5,000 people lived in the city.

History was not kind to the Quilmes people. They were an indigenous tribe of the Diaguita group in Argentina. They resisted the Inca invasions of the 15th century, and continued to resist the Spaniards for 130 years, until finally being defeated in 1667.

When the Spanish conquistadors arrived the Quilmes Indians were more or less helpless, but they fought as best as they could. At the end the only option was to escape the invaders.

To save themselves, they had to walk with only the minimum necessary supplies for more than 1200 km. The walked all the way, until they came to the vicinity of the city of Buenos Aires. Hundreds of people died during this journey. Those who survived died later from diseases that were unknown to them. It is the place where now the city of Quilmes stands, which keeps its name the memory of that people.

See also:

Story Of Atahualpa: The Last Emperor Of The Inca Empire

Paititi: Legendary Lost Inca City Of Gold

Are The Dark Nazi Secrets Buried In Remote Argentinian Jungle?

Today, there are only a few Quilmes left in Tucumán Province.

In 2009, the descendants of the ancient Quilmes took possession of the land. They now guide tourists across the area and tell the ancient history of this city and all people who once lived there.

The ruins of Quilmes are considered one of the most important archaeological locations in Argentina

Copyright © MessageToEagle.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of MessageToEagle.com