Sphere

Limestone

600-1000 CE

Costa Rica

The culture that produced these spheres remains steeped in mystery. They were likely created between 600 and 1000 CE, during the Late Period of Costa Rican pre Columbian history.

For centuries, these spheres were hidden in the dense jungle of Costa Rica, known only to local residents who passed down tales of their existence from generation to generation. It wasn't until the mid-20th century, when the renowned explorer and scholar Samuel K. Lothrop stumbled upon them during his travels, that the world at large became aware of their existence.

Lothrop's discovery caught the attention of the archaeological community, and in the 1960s, a team of Harvard University researchers led by Doris Stone set out to excavate and study these ancient relics. What they found was a trove of spherical stones, ranging in size from a few inches to over eight feet in diameter, each one perfectly carved and polished.

Despite decades of research, the true purpose of these spheres remains a puzzle. Some speculate that they were used in ancient astronomical or religious rituals, while others believe they were created simply as symbols of wealth and power.