In one of South America’s most enigmatic corners, ancient crocodiles, anthropomorphic birds, and two-headed deities keep court in misty forests. Archaeologists have found some 600 of these volcanic rock statues buried in a string of mounds near the town of San Agustín in southern Colombia. Once unearthed, these mysterious artworks, carved between the first and eighth centuries A.D., can stand as tall as 14 feet.

This is the largest group of religious, megalithic sculptures in South America, akin to an Andean Easter Island. Yet, until recently, thanks to the nation’s long history of armed conflict, very few tourists ventured here to the eastern slopes of the Colombian Massif to visit them. But new hotels, improved roads, and peace-fueled prosperity have all spurred a spike in tourism to this area… (continue reading at National Geographic).