Mayan Statuette

myminifactory

The vast numbers of gigantic stone statues stand as a testament to a spiritual force whose power astonishes [and] overpowers [the person] who gazes upon them, leaving an indelible mark on the observer's psyche. Konrad Theodor Preuss, a renowned German ethnographer born in 1869 and passing away in 1938, made groundbreaking discoveries that would change our understanding of prehistoric monumental art forever. Preuss was inspired by the writings of Carlos Cuervo Márquez, a brilliant general and historian, as well as Agustín Codazzi, an Italian military leader and geographer, who both shed light on the existence of an ancient civilization in the Upper Magdalena region. In September 1913, Preuss embarked on an arduous journey from Berlin to the Colombian mountain ranges, driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire to uncover the secrets hidden within the vast expanse of the Central Massif of the Andes. The treacherous three-month trek to San Agustín, a town nestled in the southern part of Huila, was a testament to Preuss's unwavering dedication to his craft. Once he arrived, he dedicated himself to researching the monumental sculptures that had captivated the imagination of so many, and which were later documented in his seminal work, Prehistoric Monumental Art, published in German in 1929 and translated into Spanish in 1931. Preuss's pioneering efforts paved the way for a new wave of scientists from around the world to follow in his footsteps, each contributing their own unique perspective to our understanding of the monumental funerary remains left behind by cultures that thrived in this region over two thousand years ago.