For years, objects dating back to indigenous cultures over 2,000 years ago, as well as from the colonial and republican eras, have been identified there. This time, archaeologists discovered 17 structures, such as earth, stone, or mud walls, that reveal the lifestyles and spatial appropriation of the communities that settled in that territory after the arrival of the Spanish in 1541.

In these six spaces, fragments of ceramic vessels and other artifacts used for purposes such as salt extraction and food preparation, and cooking by the ancient settlers were found. Samples of these pieces are being investigated to determine their characteristics and mineral components; analyses are also being conducted to determine what types of plants or elements the ancestors prepared for their food and to establish their age.

The studies can take between three and four weeks. In addition, fragments of pottery, glass, and tiles were recovered that reveal the artifacts used at that time. These findings are part of the contracts executed between EPM and the Arví Park Corporation, as well as the archaeological management plan for the area. It highlights the innovation in the creation of the archaeological reference collection inventory, which includes more than 16,000 pieces, as well as a database recording stone tools and fragments of ceramic, pottery, and glass vessels, among others.

Stone tools and fragments of ceramic, pottery, and glass vessels, among others. Photo credit: City of Medellín.

This work has made it possible to identify the imprint humans have left on the landscape of Santa Elena, that remains hidden in the forest. This territory was declared a Protected Archaeological Area by the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History in 2019 and a Site of Cultural Interest of National Character in 1998.

“We invite the community, researchers, students, and those interested in history and archaeology to visit us, write to us on our social media, and arrange guided tours with our archaeologists. Learning about our culture, our history, and how the city’s first inhabitants lived is part of the essence of being here,” said Óscar Cardona Cadavid, director of Arví Park.

As part of the public archaeology program, which seeks to inform and communicate to the local community and visitors about the rich heritage hidden in the forests of Arví, 23 educational activities have been held in recent months, including 20 archaeology workshops.

Archaeologists discovered 17 structures, such as earth, stone, or mud walls. Photo credit: City of Medellín.

The purpose is to tell attendees how an archaeologist works, the history of the area, and the most significant findings. In addition, three specialized seminars on archaeology and history will be presented, which will cover how the geological and natural landscape developed in the Aburrá Valley and the Santa Elena plateau; and how that landscape was transformed by the communities that inhabited it, among other interesting aspects. A total of 265 people were impacted by these educational activities.

The district administration invites visitors to return to Arví Park to explore ancestral routes, such as the Camino de La Cuesta, and to explore La Laguna, among other places that reveal the traces of history.
Arví Park is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Anyone can request a guided or self-guided tour to learn about the archaeological finds and experience other natural experiences the park offers.

Photo credit: City of Medellín.