The cult of the two-headed serpent, emblem of the Chichitarra petroglyphs
In Judeo-Christian culture, the serpent symbolizes "evil" and "temptation," as depicted in Genesis, the first book of the Bible. However, in Andean and Amazonian cultures, it holds a completely different meaning, representing the generation of life and the eternal cycle of existence.
While traveling along various South American rivers, such as the Urubamba, Ucayali, and Mamoré, I encountered numerous legends about giant anacondas living in the crevices of waterways, considered sources of life. The concept of a "crevice" or "cavity" holds great significance in Amazonian cultures, as it alludes to the womb, the origin of life.
During one of my recent trips to Peru, I had the opportunity to observe and study the enigmatic petroglyphs of Chichitarra, located not far from the village of Palpa.
While the study of archaeological sites can reveal the history, customs, and traditions of ancient peoples, careful observation of petroglyphs can help us understand the mystical and ritualistic worldview of ancient cultures—and sometimes even their cosmogony.
The site consists of dozens of rocks engraved in the past, creating intricate symbols—some anthropomorphic, others zoomorphic or abstract.
A preliminary analysis of the site suggests that several earthquakes occurred in the area, toppling many rocks and permanently erasing petroglyphs that could have served as history books for keen observers. Nevertheless, many petroglyphs remain visible today, some in remarkably good condition.
One of the most common symbols is that of the "cacique" or indigenous leader, often depicted with a sort of feathered crown encircling their head.
Other anthropomorphic symbols may represent individuals of middle rank, while numerous zoomorphic symbols depict animals sacred to Andean-Amazonian cultures.
Foremost among these are various bird engravings, some unmistakably resembling condors, creatures associated with the heavens and the "upper world," symbolizing proximity to God and the Sun.
There are also depictions of mammals, which could be foxes, bears, or felines, symbolizing the "here and now," embodying precision, strength, power, and cunning.
The most fascinating petroglyph, however, is a large two-headed serpent reminiscent of Yawirka, the mythical creature said to have been gifted by the Rainbow God to Tupac Inca Yupanqui.
Who created the Chichitarra petroglyphs? And what hidden message were they trying to convey to future generations?
Generally, Andean and Amazonian petroglyphs represent ideas, symbols, or, as in the case of the Pusharo and Quiaca petroglyphs, even ethnic groups (the "face").
At Toro Muerto, numerous engravings depict an archaic form of pictographic writing. In contrast, at Chichitarra, the dominant symbols are the two-headed serpent and the cacique, or indigenous leader.
The proximity of Palpa to the famous Nasca lines does not necessarily mean that the creators of these masterful carvings belonged to the Nasca culture. Some petroglyphs depicting "dancing" humans suggest a probable influence of the Huari culture in the region, likely around the fifth century AD.
Unfortunately, to this day, no proper archaeological excavations have been conducted in the area, making it impossible to draw definitive conclusions.
YURI LEVERATTO
