As one of the longest countries in the world, Chile has an incredibly diverse geography. From the glaciers in the south to the desert in the north, there’s the sea on one side and the Andes on the other.
Unfortunately, this vast array of landscapes is not really reflected in the World Heritage Sites of Chile.
In fact, the country does not have a single ‘natural’ World Heritage Site.
Why? I’m not sure… but remember, for a World Heritage Site to be designated, its country has to first nominate it, and for some reason Chile has not tried to get places like Torres del Paine or the Atacama listed.
When we look at the Chilean World Heritage Sites, what we find are seven cultural ones, which are all very interesting.
Not only do they cover much of the country’s large geographical span, but they also cover a remarkable spectrum of eras in the Chile’s history, including the age of the Incas and right up to the modern industrial period.
To showcase the variety, I thought we would look at each of Chile’s World Heritage Sites from oldest to newest.
Settlement and Artificial Mummification of the Chinchorro Culture in the Arica and Parinacota Region
This archaeological site in northern Chile offers you a glimpse into one of the world’s oldest known artificial mummification traditions – predating even the ancient Egyptians by several millennia!
The Chinchorro people inhabited the coastal area in the Arica and Parinacota Region between 7000 and 1500 BC. During this time, they developed sophisticated techniques to preserve their dead, regardless of age or social status (this egalitarian approach setting them apart from many other ancient cultures).
The World Heritage Site’s significance lies not only in the mummies themselves but also in the insights they provide into the Chinchorro’s complex spiritual world and their adaptation to the harsh Atacama Desert environment.
When you visit, you’ll find several museums and interpretive centres in Arica where remarkably well-preserved mummies are on display. The Azapa Museum of Archaeology, in particular, houses an impressive collection and is a good place to learn about Chinchorro culture.
While the site’s remote location can make access challenging, it rewards intrepid travellers with a profound connection to an ancient culture and its quest to transcend mortality. The stark beauty of the surrounding landscape, with its towering sand dunes and rugged…
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