El Abra

El Abra is a significant archaeological site located in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes, near Zipaquirá and Tocancipá. Characterized by a series of rock shelters, it offers critical insights into early human settlement in the Americas, dating back to approximately 12,400 years BP. The site reveals a sequence of climatic and cultural phases, including the Fúquene stadial with its cold climate and characteristic lithic tools, and subsequent periods like the Guantivá interstadial, which saw warmer temperatures and the development of abriense tools. Notably, the site provides evidence of Pleistocene megafauna remains, indicating ritual activities. As climate conditions evolved, these rock shelters were gradually abandoned. By around 5,000 years BP, agriculture was practiced nearby. El Abra thus serves as a crucial window into the adaptive strategies of prehistoric hunter-gatherer communities in the Andean region.