View source for El Abra

{{Short description|Archeological site}}
{{For|the copper mine in Chile|El Abra mine}}
{{Infobox ancient site
| name           = El Abra
| native_name    = 
| native_name_lang =
| alternate_name = 
| image          = Alb.jpg
| image_size     =
| alt            = 
| caption        = [[Petroglyph]] of El Abra
| map            =
| map_type       = Colombia
| map_alt        = 
| map_caption    = Location within Colombia
| map_size       = 
| altitude_m     = 2570
| altitude_ref   = 
| relief         = 1
| coordinates    = {{coord|5|01|02.49|N|73|57|04.33|W|display=inline,title}}
| map_dot_label  =
| location       = [[Zipaquirá]], [[Tocancipá]], [[Cundinamarca Department|Cundinamarca]]
| region         = [[Bogotá savanna]]<br />[[Altiplano Cundiboyacense]]<br />{{COL}}
| type           = Rock shelter, petroglyphs
| part_of        = [[List of Muisca and pre-Muisca sites|Pre-Muisca sites]]
| length         = 
| width          = 
| area           = 
| volume         =  
| diameter       = 
| circumference  = 
| height         = 
| builder        = 
| material       = Sandstone
| built          =  
| abandoned      = [[Herrera Period]]
| epochs         = [[Muisca Confederation#Prehistory|Prehistory]]-[[Herrera Period|Herrera]]
| cultures       = [[Andean preceramic|Preceramic]] hunter-gatherers
| dependency_of  = 
| occupants      = 
| event          = 
| excavations    = 1967
| archaeologists = [[Gonzalo Correal Urrego|Correal]], [[Thomas van der Hammen|Hammen]]
| condition      = 
| ownership      = Hacienda El Abra, Cesar Orjuela 
| management     = 
| public_access  = Partly
| other_designation = Climbing area
| website        = 
| architectural_styles =
| architectural_details =
| notes          = 
}}
'''El Abra''' is the name given to an extensive [[List of Muisca and pre-Muisca sites|archeological site]], located in the valley of the same name. El Abra is situated in the east of the municipality [[Zipaquirá]] extending to the westernmost part of [[Tocancipá]] in the department of [[Cundinamarca Department|Cundinamarca]], [[Colombia]]. The several hundred metres long series of [[rock shelter]]s is in the north of the [[Bogotá savanna]] on the [[Altiplano Cundiboyacense]], [[Cordillera Oriental (Colombia)|Eastern Ranges]] of the Colombian [[Andes]] at an altitude of {{convert|2570|m|ft}}. The rock shelter and [[cave]] system is one of the first evidences of [[human settlement]] in the [[Americas]], dated at 12,400 ± 160 years [[Before Present|BP]]. The site was used by the [[hunter-gatherer]]s of the [[Late Pleistocene]] epoch.

== Etymology ==
The name El Abra is taken from a large [[hacienda]] of that name at the foot of the western portion of the rock formation. The eastern side of the outcropping sandstones is accessible. Climbing activities at these ''Rocas de Sevilla'' are organised.<ref name=Monodedo/>

== Stratigraphy ==
The first research in the place was conducted in 1967, and the stratigraphy of [[lithic technology|lithic]] instruments, [[bone]]s and vegetal [[charcoal]] with [[radiocarbon dating]] established the date of the settlement in 12,400 ± 160 years [[Before Present|BP]].<ref name=Paleoindio>{{in lang|es}} [http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/2011/03/13/1-nivel-paleoindio-abrigos-rocosos-del-tequendama/ Nivel Paleoindio. Abrigos rocosos del Tequendama] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20160429174826/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/2011/03/13/1-nivel-paleoindio-abrigos-rocosos-del-tequendama/ |date=2016-04-29 }}</ref><ref>Gómez Mejía, 2012, p.153</ref>

== Archaeological research ==
{{Location map+ | Bogotá savanna
| width   = 330
| caption = El Abra and other prehistoric sites on the [[Bogotá savanna]]
| places  =
  {{Location map~ | Bogotá savanna
  | lat_deg = 5.017358
  | lon_deg = -73.951203
  | mark = Yellow pog.svg
  | marksize = 12
  | label   = 
  | position = 
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Bogotá savanna
  | lat_deg = 4.985667
  | lon_deg = -73.982889
  | mark = White pog.svg
  | label   = [[Tibitó|{{white|Tibitó}}]]
  | position = left
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Bogotá savanna
  | lat_deg = 4.823028
  | lon_deg = -73.761778
  | mark = White pog.svg
  | label   = {{white|Sueva}}
  | position = right
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Bogotá savanna
  | lat_deg = 4.535117
  | lon_deg = -74.275686
  | mark = White pog.svg
  | label   = [[Tequendama|{{white|Tequendama}}]]
  | position = top
  }}
}}
In the late 1960s, the [[Indiana University]] collaborated in a deeper research. In 1970, the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] Foundation for the Advancement of Tropical Research (NWO-WOTRO) discovered four new [[Andean preceramic|preceramic]] sites and the analysis of lacustrine sediments allowed a more accurate understanding of the paleoclimate and flora.

=== Fúquene stadial ===
The Fúquene stadial, named after [[Lake Fúquene]], close to the [[Fúquene|village of the same name]], is defined from 15,000 to 12,500 BP. It is characterized by a cold climate, flora typical of [[páramo]] ecosystems, and [[stone tools|lithic tools]].

=== Guantivá interstadial ===
About 12,500 years ago, a gradual rise of temperature allowed the return of [[Andean]] [[cloud forest]] and the settlement of many animal species, making [[hunting]] easier. Artefacts of this period are called ''abriense'': [[flint (tool)]]s, and [[chopper core]]s. As the climate was more benign, the cave system was gradually abandoned.

=== Tibitó stadial ===
{{main|Tibitó}}
The excavations of this period, near [[Tocancipá]] at Tibitó, dated at 11,400 years BP, show lithic instruments, bone tools and remains of [[Pleistocene megafauna]], such as [[mastodon]]s (''[[Haplomastodon|Haplomastodon waringi]]'' and ''[[Cuvieronius|Cuvieronius hyodon]]''), American [[horse]] (''Equus amerhipuus lasallei''), and deer (''[[Odocoileus virginianus]]'') with traces of ritual ceremonies.

=== El Abra stadial ===
Dated 11,000 BP, it is characterized by a new cooling of the climate, recession of the forests and a last period of extending [[glaciation]]s. From this period the archaeological site of [[Tequendama]] in [[Soacha]] shows lithic instruments (''Tequendamenses tools'') with a more smooth manufacture, many of them made with materials brought to this place from the [[Magdalena River]] valley, such as [[quartzite]]. At Tequendama, evidence for domestication of [[guinea pig]]s has been uncovered.

=== Holocene ===
Around 10,000 years BP, the last glaciation ended and the Andean forests appeared again. The lithic instruments show a rise in recollecting activities, with [[rodent]]s and [[vegetable]]s consumed, and lower amounts of large animals hunted. The El Abra caves were abandoned gradually, while other nearby rock shelters like [[Nemocón rock shelter|Nemocón]] and open area settlements as [[Checua]] were populated.

=== Aguazuque ===
{{main|Aguazuque}}.
In Aguazuque, around 5,000 BP, [[Muisca agriculture|agriculture]] was established on elevated terraces, grinding stone instruments can be observed in association with itinerant habits. The ''abriense'' type instruments disappear.

== Tourism ==
While access to the western Zipaquirá part of the rock formation is restricted as it is located on private lands, the eastern area in Tocancipá is accessible and around 20 climbing routes have been constructed. The climbing is comparable but more challenging than the famous routes of [[Suesca]], due to the overhanging character of the formation.<ref name=Monodedo>{{in lang|es}} [http://monodedo.com/md%20colombia/mdcolombia/dondeEscalar/topos/zipaquira.htm Las Rocas del Abra (Cundinamarca) climbing activities]</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode=packed heights=180px>
File:Rocas del abra zipaquira.jpg|Hacienda El Abra
File:Rocas del abra zipaquira area rural.jpg|Rock formation of El Abra
File:El Abra - Climbing Activities - Tocancipá, Cundinamarca, Colombia.jpg|Climbing at El Abra
</gallery>
{{clear}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Colombia|History}}
* [[List of Muisca and pre-Muisca sites]]
* [[Andean preceramic]]
* [[Aguazuque]], [[Checua]], [[Tequendama]], [[Tibitó]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

=== Bibliography ===
* {{citation |last=Gómez Mejía |first=Juliana |year=2012 |title=Análisis de marcadores óseos de estrés en poblaciones del Holoceno Medio y Tardío incial de la sabana de Bogotá, Colombia - Analysis of bone stress markers in populations of the Middle and Late Holocene of the Bogotá savanna, Colombia |journal=Revista Colombiana de Antropología |volume=48 |pages=143–168 |doi=10.22380/2539472X.1019 |language=es |doi-access=free }}

== Further reading ==
{{commons category|Zona Arqueológica de Zipaquirá|El Abra}}
* {{citation |last1=Aceituno Bocanegra |first1=Francisco Javier |last2=Rojas Mora |first2=Sneider |year=2012 |title=Del Paleoindio al Formativo: 10.000 años para la historia de la tecnología lítica en Colombia - From the Paleoindian to the Formative Stage: 10,000 years for the history of lithic technology in Colombia |url=http://www.redalyc.org/pdf/557/55723950006.pdf |journal=Boletín de Antropología |publisher=[[University of Antioquia]] |volume=28 |issue=43 |pages=124–156 |issn=0120-2510 |language=es |accessdate=2016-07-08}}
* {{citation |last=[[Gonzalo Correal Urrego|Correal Urrego]] |first=Gonzalo |year=1990 |title=Aguazuque: Evidence of hunter-gatherers and growers on the high plains of the Eastern Ranges |location=Bogotá, Colombia |publisher=Banco de la República: Fundación de Investigaciones Arqueológicas Nacionales |url=http://admin.banrepcultural.org/sites/default/files/aguazuque_completo_terminado_baja.pdf |pages=1–316 |language=es |accessdate=2016-07-08}}
* {{citation |last=[[Gonzalo Correal Urrego|Correal Urrego]] |first=Gonzalo | year=1990 |title=Evidencias culturales durante el Pleistocene y Holoceno de Colombia - Cultural evidences during the Pleistocene and Holocene of Colombia |journal=Revista de Arqueología Americana |volume=1 |pages=69–89 |url=http://peru.inka.free.fr/Runapacha/pleiscol.pdf |language=es |accessdate=2016-07-08}}
* {{citation |last=[[Gonzalo Correal Urrego|Correal Urrego]] |first=Gonzalo |year=1980 |title=Estado actual de las investigaciones sobre la etapa lítica en Colombia |journal=Antropológicas |volume=2 |pages=11–30 |publisher=Colombian Anthropologic Society |location=Bogotá}}
* {{citation |last1=Correal Urrego |first1=Gonzalo |author2-link=Thomas van der Hammen |last2=Hammen |first2=Thomas van der |last3=Lerman |first3=J.C. |year=1970 |title=Artefactos líticos de abrigos en El Abra, Colombia |journal=Revista Colombiana de Antropología |volume=14 |pages=9–46 |author1-link=Gonzalo Correal Urrego }}
* {{citation |last=[[Ana María Groot|Groot de Mahecha]] |first=Ana María |year=1992 |title=Checua: Una secuencia cultural entre 8500 y 3000 años antes del presente - Checua: a cultural sequence between 8500 and 3000 years before present |publisher=[[Bank of the Republic (Colombia)|Banco de la República]] |url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/fian/monografias/checua-una-secuencia-cultural |pages=1–95 |accessdate=2016-07-08}}
* {{citation |last1=Hurt |first1=Wesley |author2-link=Thomas van der Hammen |last2=Hammen |first2=Thomas van der |author3-link=Gonzalo Correal Urrego |last3=Correal Urrego |first3=Gonzalo |year=1976 |title=La ecología y tecnología de los abrigos rocosos en El Abra, Sabana de Bogotá, Colombia |journal=Boletín de la Sociedad Geográfica Colombiana |series=XXX |volume=109 |pages=1–21 |location=Bogotá}}
* {{citation |last1=Hammen |first1=Thomas van der |last2=González |first2=E |year=1963 |title=Historia de clima y vegetación del Pleistoceno superior y Holoceno de la Sabana de Bogotá |journal=Boletín Geológico |series=XI |volume=1-3 |issue=1–3 |pages=189–266 |location=Bogotá |doi=10.32685/0120-1425/bolgeol11.1-3.1963.202 |author1-link=Thomas van der Hammen |doi-access=free }}
* {{citation |last1=Hammen |first1=Thomas van der |author2-link=Gonzalo Correal Urrego |last2=Correal Urrego  |first2=Gonzalo |year=1978 |title=Prehistoric man on the Sabana de Bogota: data for an ecological prehistory |journal=Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology |volume=25 |issue=1–2 |pages=179–190 |doi=10.1016/0031-0182(78)90077-9 |bibcode=1978PPP....25..179V |author1-link=Thomas van der Hammen }}
* {{citation |last=Hammen |first=Thomas van der |year=1994 |title=Stratigraphic Dating and Cultural Sequences of Pre-Hispanic Northern South America |url=http://www.getty.edu/conservation/publications_resources/pdf_publications/pdf/archaeometry.pdf |publisher=The Getty Conservation Institute |pages=381–393 |isbn=0-89236-249-9 |accessdate=2016-07-08}}
* {{citation |last=[[Thomas van der Hammen|Hammen]] |first=Thomas van der |year=1992 |title=El hombre prehistórico en la Sabana de Bogotá: datos para una prehistoria ecológica |journal=Historia, Ecología y Vegetación |volume= |pages=217–231 |publisher=Corporación Araracuara |location=Bogotá |isbn=958-95379-4-4}}

{{Pre-Columbian}}
{{Muisca navbox|Geography and history}}
{{Navbox prehistoric caves}}
{{Archaeological sites in Colombia|state=uncollapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Abra, El}}
[[Category:Former populated places in Colombia]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Cundinamarca Department]]
[[Category:Pre-Clovis archaeological sites in the Americas]]
[[Category:Andean preceramic]]
[[Category:Pleistocene Colombia]]
[[Category:Pleistocene paleontological sites of South America]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Cundinamarca Department]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions near Bogotá]]
[[Category:1967 archaeological discoveries]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites of the Altiplano Cundiboyacense]]
[[Category:Petroglyphs in South America]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Colombia]]