MORE PETROGLYPHS AT TARAPACÁ

Human figures also are frequently depicted on the boulders at Tarapaca. The two examples here are exceptional as they seem to carry emblematic symbols on their chests. The right-hand figure has a circle (possibly hanging from a rope around its neck). It has also a groove between the legs, possibly indicating male gender (which is rare in this rock art area). The other figure has a frog or toad symbol hanging (?) from its neck. The toad or frog is highly venerated in Andean religion for its alleged powers to foretell rain and earthquakes; two abilities that are most useful in the driest of the world's deserts and in an area that is frequently shaken by earthquakes. The two figures therefore may represent shamans specialised in water evoking rituals. The toad or frog occurs only a few times on the boulders of Tarapaca. The second photo shows a row of three human figures, a solar symbol and a strange inexplicable geometric figure looking like a roofed building (which it most likely is not). The camelid is very often present on stones with many engravings. The third photo shows animals, possibly lizards, that could also be interpreted as human figures; a common problem in rock art.

This photograp clearly shows that the small boulders often have several panels engraved and also that the rather hard rock easily exfoliates, which represents a danger to the survival of the art. Again we see camelids, solar symbols, human figures and a symbol comprising a cross in a circle that also may represent a solar symbol.

We already have seen that at least a part of the rock art at Tarapaca may relate to shamanic practices involving safe travelling and water rituals. The upper photo shows non-iconic figures that have small strokes running from them. These may represent the special skin bags in which shamans often keep their secret paraphernalia. The second photo shows two boulders, the one in front of the other has a large circle and a bird engraving, while the other has a fine composition of a central toad or frog that is encircled by a number of lizards or anthropomorphs. This ensemble may again be related to shamanic rituals. The anthropomorphic lizards may even represent a shaman in transformation.