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Tomb Raider

by Scott Holcomb
In August 1975 a friend and I explored the ridge tops high above the archaeological site of Tierradentro, Colombia. As we strolled along the pathway we discovered a grim hidden secret. Numerous ancient tombs along the ridge line had been callously broken into and looted and left open to the elements.
I used my Yashica Electro 35CC to record my overland journey, typically visitors attractions and landscapes, but never a crime against the archaeological heritage of a nation until then. The desecration of these 1,500 year old tombs likely yielded a few silver and gold objects left with the dead.
We asked some of the staff in the "main archaeological site" below in the valley about the grave robbers. From their "Cat that ate the canary" expressions we decided to not push too hard. As tourist "hippy" backpackers we had no authority to do much other than keep our mouths shut.

Camera: Yashica ELECTRO 35CC - COLOR-YASHINON DX 1:1.8 f=35mm lens - Kodak 135 color slide film - Scanned by an Epson Perfection V600 - Digital restoration project of photo archive
Date of photos: August 14, 1975
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1 comment

Scott Holcomb said:

There is a grim secret hidden within the ridges of this beautiful landscape

Tierradentro Highlands
10 years ago