Puerto Hormiga archaeological site facts for kids

The Puerto Hormiga archaeological site is a very old place in Bolivar department, Colombia. It is found near the Caribbean coast, close to the Magdalena River. This site dates back a long time, from about 4000 to 3100 BC.

What Was Life Like at Puerto Hormiga?

The discoveries at Puerto Hormiga show us how people lived thousands of years ago. They were starting to settle down and farm a little. These people hunted animals and gathered shellfish for food.

Archaeologists found big piles of shells, called middens, at the site. These piles tell us a lot about what they ate. Other finds, like old pottery pieces and many stone tools, suggest that these people, who used to move around a lot, were also beginning to grow some plants and farm on a small scale.

The Amazing Shell Ring

One of the most interesting things found at Puerto Hormiga is a huge ring made of shells. This shell ring was built during a very old time called the Late Archaic period. It was found in a marshy area.

The ring is mostly made of clam shells. It is about 280 feet (85 m) across on the outside. The ring mound is about 4 feet (1.2 m) high. At its base, the ring is between 52 feet (16 m) and 75 feet (23 m) wide. Inside the shell ring, there is a clear open space, like a plaza.

Pottery and Tools

Inside and around the shell ring, archaeologists found pieces of old pottery. Some of this pottery was made stronger with plant fibers, and some with sand. They also found stone tools. The oldest items found here date back to 3794 BC.

The pottery made with plant fibers looks quite simple. It was formed from a single lump of clay. Other pottery found at Puerto Hormiga was made by coiling clay and adding sand to it.

See also

In Spanish: Puerto Hormiga para niños