The orbs are often attributed to the extinct Diquís culture. At first, they seem like a new landscape trend, but in reality, these round rocks are mysterious artifacts created centuries ago in large numbers. But we don’t know exactly why.
Located in the Diquís River Delta and on the island of Isla del Caño, the stone spheres in Costa Rica are a collection of more than 300 stone spheres also known as bolas de piedra (literally stone balls). The spheres, which appear to be perfectly round, are often attributed to the extinct Diquís culture and are the most famous stone sculptures from the Isthmօ-Colombia region.
In the 1930s, United Fruit Cօmpany was clearing land in Costa Rica’s Diquís Valley, when workers began excavating a large number of nearly perfectly round stone spheres. The largest of these certainly man-made spheres measures more than two meters (6.6 feet) in diameter and weighs more than 16 tons.
No one really knows why they were created. There are many theories, but little evidence. Some believe they denote rank or royalty, others think they are just status symbols or perhaps tribal symbols.
According to University of Kansas archaeologist John Hoopes, “the spheres were most likely created by reducing round rocks into spheres through a combination of controlled breaking, pecking and grinding.” They were probably created by an extinct human civilization that existed in the area during the Aguas Buenas Period (300-800 AD) and the Chiriquí Period (800-1550 AD). Their culture disappeared after the conquest of the Spaniards.
The only method available for dating the carved stones is stratigraphy, but most of the stones are no longer in their original location.
Several Diquís soccer balls on display at the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica. For comparison, the mural shows the diameter of the largest stone ball ever recorded at 2.66 meters (8.7 ft).
When the spheres were first discovered, there were rumors of gold being hidden in the spheres, so workers started drilling holes in them and using dynamite to blow them up. Unfortunately, many of the spheres were destroyed before the authorities intervened and stopped the vandalism.
Some of the broken balls have been reassembled and are now on display at the National Museum of Costa Rica in San José.
The remains of vandalized balls in the National Museum of Costa Rica. Photo: Axis10
Stone balls are considered a national symbol and part of Costa Rica’s cultural ethos, so they are often seen installed in government buildings and they have also inspired many works. and installations that you can see all over the country.
Many myths surround the stones, including those that claim they came from Atlantis or were created as such by nature.
In the Bribra universe, shared by Cabecar and other American ancestral groups, the stone spheres are “Tara’s cannonball.” According to legend, Tara or Tlatchque, the god of thunder, used a giant blowtorch to shoot at Serks, the god of wind and storms, to drive them out of this land.
Additionally, there have been many claims that the spheres are perfect, or near-perfect in roundness, although some spheres are known to vary in diameter by more than 5 centimeters (2.0 in). In addition, because the stones have been damaged and worn down over the years, it is not possible to know their exact original shape.
To date, nearly all of the spheres have been displaced from their original locations, primarily to become prized lawn ornaments throughout Costa Rica, making further study worthwhile. more difficult.
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Source: tiengtrunghaato.edu.vn