Discovery of Pre-Columbian sphere

Amidst banana plantations in the region around the river Terraba, archaeologists found last December a stone sphere with a diameter of 1.10 meter. The sphere was found at a site owned by the National Museum. Archaeologists discovered there during excavations in the last months typical houses (‘palenques’). The sphere marks the entrance of one of these ‘palenques’. The last time such a discovery was made was in the year 1994.

In the past dozens of these mysterious spheres were found. They are characterized by their almost perfect shape. De exact function is unknown. But the place where the sphere has been found suspects that they served as a status symbol: the bigger the size, the higher the status of the person living there.

The discovery fits into a revaluation of the culture of the indigenous tribes that lived in nowadays Costa Rica before Columbus’ arrival. In the past it was believed that this area formed just the backward yard of great civilizations, like that of the Aztecs. However, the rich heritage of objects made of gold, jade and ceramics, and also these spheres made of stone, indicates that in this area must have been established a civilization, that despite the fact that it didn’t leave great architectonical works, it must have had a very complex structure. Beside this, the area formed a trade centre, where cultures from Central and South America met each other.

The National Museum in San José hosts some of these spheres. Also in the park of the little town of Palmar Norte is it possible to admire these mysterious objects.