Uspallata

Ok, back to Argentina :)
The next day we rent a car and drove to Uspallata: The final stop would be the Cerro Tunduqueral, a rock art site not far from Uspallata.


(c) 2011 Google Maps

 While we worked our way towards the Andes in a nice comfortable car we could see a group of people  rafting. The river was so full of sediments that it took on the colour of the surrounding mountains:

We came across military areas

passed quiet alleys

encountered curious boulders

looks a bit like an Indian chief in profile, doesn't it? Finally we reached our goal, the Cerro Tunduqueral, a hilly top where we would hopefully find some petroglyphs. There was actually a parking lot and a comfortable short walk to the cerro:

There was even a sign explaining a bit the site. As you can see, Tunduqueral is about 2000 m asl and most of the engraving are supposed to be from the Early Ceramic Period. The sign says from AD 700 - 1000. But they might well be a bit earlier

Just to give you an overview, after all you had your fill in archaeology yesterday ;)

In any case, we had a fantastic view of the Andes and their snow covered passes:

On our way back we stopped shortly at a group of shrines which are very common here:

while some were still accumulating glass bottle-offerings, most had a pile of plastic bottles next to them. Plus all the other 'offerings' including plastic toy figurines, plastic flowers, candles, food remains and cloth preferably red dyed one:

There must have been an active rail road once, but now the tracks are quite deserted:

since it was getting late we rushed home (here you can see our rental, flashing provocatively at the camera):

But the trip wouldn't be complete with a short stop at Lake Potrerillos, an artificial lake formed by a large dam and now a major recreation area for the locals:

But wait, didn't I say something about nandu feet? Of course, and here they are:

If you don't believe me, have a look at an emu track on a salt lake (the emu and the nandu are both ratite birds):

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gro%C3%9Fer_Emu

Want to see a live nandu? Then stay tuned in for the next blog post. We are visiting Mendoza zoo....