CHIRIBIQUETE: AMAZONIAN MEMORY AT STAKE

The history of Amazonia is still in its early stages, long overshadowed by the discoveries of the civilizations of the Andean highlands. This gigantic forest, which stretches across nine South American countries, is a land of myths, hidden peoples and cultures yet to be preserved. But it is only recently that it has become a land of archaeological research.

One of the treasures of the South American continent can be found in the Guaviare jungle, south-east of Colombia. In the middle of the forest, majestic mountains emerge from the canopy, and on their cliffs, thousands of rock paintings are traced in red pigment. Animals, warriors, geometric symbols... bear witness to a very ancient settlement and an unsuspected culture.

Initial research has revealed unexpected dates ranging from 10,000 to 19,000 years ago. This would make them among the oldest traces on the American continent!

By following in the footsteps of these "first" Men, will researchers be able to sketch out a new chronology of human occupation in Amazonia? Draw a landscape other than that of an impenetrable forest? Can they reconstruct its memory?

To discover the soul of this new, mysterious and exuberant world, we follow a group of Colombian archaeologists and scientists on their fascinating expeditions. The three missions - to the north, center and south of the vast territory of Chiribiquete, a 43,000 km² national park - are the starting points of a great archaeological adventure.