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The
situation today
Juan
Mayr reports on his web site www.aaas.org/international/psd/biod/maldon.htm
that the Sierra Nevada and its inhabitants now-a-days
depend on several forces beyond their control: international
markets (both legal and illegal); political decisions
made in government centres surrounding the Sierra, and;
policies defined by the central government in Bogotá
and by guerrilla groups and other armed forces.
Only
the traditional indigenous groups that have maintained
their sustainable practices and management of their
lands have retained a degree of autonomy over their
own existence. They have done so by permanently readapting
themselves to changing conditions.
It
is also clear that culture determines the behaviour
of people towards their environment. In the case of
indigenous populations, approximately 700,000 inhabitants
lived in the area before the conquest.
Their
harmonious way of life left only traces of their civilisation
as their legacy, a civilisation that was reclaimed by
jungle in the years after the Spanish Conquest. In contrast,
a population of only 150,000 campesinos (farmers) has
almost destroyed the equilibrium of this great "water
factory," subjecting the Sierra to the erosion process.
How
to get there
The
Lost City - Ciudad Perdida it's an Archaeological National
Park identified as Teyuna that means Tayrona. It is
also known as Infierno Verde and Buritaca 200. To get
there, you can walk through the tropical jungle or go
by helicopter. A good place to start is from Santa Marta.
If you decide to walk up there you need approximately
6 days totally: 3 days to climb up the mountains, 1
day to visit the 200 hectares of the incredible archaeological
park, and 2 days for the return.
What
more would you find there?
On
the top is an incredible ancient town with streets,
terraces, animal figures, maps, and ceremonial centres,
all build with stones. Here you can admire the architectural
quality and the other works by the Tayrona Indians,
who are considered to be the KINGS OF THE URBANISATION
IN AMERICA.
Tayrona
Indians are also considered to be the pioneers of engineering
in America. They were natural architects. It's highly
recommended that you hire a baquiano guide (an Indian),
who knows the area quite well, and can take you safe
up there and back again.
Safety
precautions
Be
aware of that in some areas here can be unsafe to travel
to. Based
on unverified reports we have heard that in the Sierra
there are paramilitaries, and also in some parts of
the mountains the guerrilla operates, but in the Tayrona
Park it should be safe to travel. The Colombian Government
strictly controls the treks.
If
you plan to go there check out carefully information
from several sources about the situation (see our useful
links). In the dry season (December to early March),
the trek to Ciudad Perdida will be easier.
Get
a sense of the mystery and the unique atmosphere in
the Lost City. We
will be back with more reports and photos based on travellers'
own explorations in this area, and especially from the
old Indian town.
Stein
Morten Lund, 25th August 2000
Additional
informations and links
Travel
Explorations thanks Carmen Rodriguez Longaray in Colombia
for useful background information.
Read
more about The Lost City in the dense and vigorous jungle
on the following links:
General
information about The Lost City - Ciudad Perdida (Colombia):
fdvdf
www.colombiaweb.de
Case
study (Juan Mayr) about The Lost City and the region
Sierra Nevada De Santa Marta:
www.aaas.org/international/psd/biod/maldon.htm | 
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