The Mysterious Las Bolas of Costa Rica

The history of Costa Rica dates back to Pre-Columbian times, between 7,000 and 10,000 A.D., when the first humans roamed their fertile lands.  The Museo Nacional de Costa Rica in the capital city of San Jose has thousands of significant archaeological artifacts on display.


But for some, the most intriguing objects are too big to fit inside a display cabinet - enter Las Bolas or 'the balls' of Costa Rica.  Over 300 of these various sized man-made stone balls known as petrospheres have been found on Isla del Cano off the northern Osa Peninsula.


Ranging from just centimetres around to 2 metres in diameter, a single stone ball made from limestone or sandstone can weigh as much as 15 tons.  Las Bolas were first discovered in the 1930's by workmen of the United Fruit Company as they cleared the jungle in preparation for planting banana crops.


The most recent petrosphere was found on July 5, 2012, by workers digging a drainage canal in Osa area.  The workers also found Pre-Columbian pottery and other artifacts at the site; all construction on this former rice field has been stopped until the site can be thoroughly excavated.


For more information, visit the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica.


Cheers,
Ed & Connie

Image: InsideCostaRica.com