Discovery of Lost City in Colombia

The discovery of Ciudad Perdida in July 1975 was, unfortunately, the result of the actions of "guaqueros" or tomb robbers. These individuals were responsible for destroying many archaeological sites in the Sierra Nevada and throughout Colombia, driven by the desire to obtain pre-Columbian artifacts for illegal sale.

The initial discovery of the site led to its partial looting; it wasn't until March 1976 that the Colombian Institute of Anthropology, ICAN, was alerted to the existence of a significant site in the upper Buritaca River that was being plundered. Since 1973, archaeologists from the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History (ICANH) had been exploring the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and by that time, they had identified around 200 Tairona settlements spread across approximately 1,800 square kilometers. Given the importance of the site, ICANH designed and implemented a large-scale research and restoration project, which unfolded in several phases between 1976 and 1986.

The site's complexity, access difficulties, and the extent of the restoration work required the collaboration of archaeologists, architects, biologists, and numerous workers who have contributed in various ways over time.

At the time of its discovery, the site was completely covered by vegetation. While some of the archaeological structures had been severely affected by looting, the majority of the terraces and walls were in good condition with minimal alterations. The site's remote location, far from Santa Marta and other populated areas of the Sierra, and its difficult accessibility, protected it from significant damage for nearly five centuries by the guaqueros and other looters. Despite being hidden under the forest for around five centuries, about 85 percent of the structures found at Ciudad Perdida were in good condition.

For this reason, the restoration and consolidation of the structures focused primarily on clearing the terraces and living rings from trees and vegetation and repairing the upper parts of the retaining walls. Many of the paths were completely covered with earth and leaves, so they also had to be cleaned and consolidated. In an effort to maintain the highest level of authenticity, fallen walls were reconstructed without the use of mortar, utilizing the same stones that had fallen or rolled away for the repairs. The stability of the constructions over time facilitated the consolidation work, making it possible to open the park to the public in 1981.

Excerpt from the Visitor’s Guide to the Teyuna Archaeological Park – Ciudad Perdida by the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History (ICANH).