Análisis iconográfico de los petroglifos de la Piedra Bola o de los Monos ubicados en la parroquia de Lumbaquí, provincia de Sucumbíos

Abstract

The petroglyphs of “Piedra Bola”, located in the province of Sucumbíos, represent an artistic manifestation of rock art carved in stone by ancient Indigenous cultures. Despite their cultural value to the local community, their formal recognition as tangible heritage has been limited due to the lack of systematic scientific studies supporting their historical significance. This study aimed to analyse the iconography and archaeological landscape of the “Piedra Bola” petroglyphs to establish a theoretical and practical foundation for their interpretation and assessment. A comprehensive and multidisciplinary methodology was applied within a qualitative approach, combining fieldwork with traditional tracing techniques and digital documentation of the carvings. The results revealed that the cultural landscape of the study area has been continuously modified by various Indigenous cultures over time, demonstrating its persistence and historical relevance. Additionally, digitalisation facilitated the documentation of the petroglyphs and the identification of anthropomorphic, zoomorphic, mixed, and geometric iconographic patterns through a semiotic and morphological analysis. Finally, it was determined that the “A’i Cofán” and “Siekopai” Indigenous communities maintain a strong sense of identity and connection with these rock engravings. Furthermore, iconographic links were identified between these petroglyphs and other Amazonian rock outcrops, as well as a remarkable similarity between the morphology of the zoomorphic engravings and the monkey species present in the study area.