Mysterious Stone Circles Discovered High in the Andes

Carlos Gobbi, an experienced explorer of the Andes, discovered a mysterious stone structure during a routine scan of Google Earth in May 2025. The site, located in the Cordillera del Tigre at an elevation of over 3,000 meters, features large stone circles connected by straight corridors. Despite several failed attempts, Gobbi and his team finally reached the site on 14 February 2026 after a grueling four-day trek through rugged terrain.

The structure on the ground revealed circles, rectangular sectors, and passages built from dry-stone walls, along with what appear to be lined channels. Gobbi shared his findings with archaeologists at IANIGLA-CONICET, an Argentine research institute. The initial hypothesis suggests it could be a geoglyph, a large design best appreciated from the air, similar to Peru’s Nazca Lines. However, archaeologists remain cautious, noting no direct parallels in design or construction.

Horacio Chiavazza of the National University of Cuyo, who co-directs the ArqueoAndes research project, emphasizes the uniqueness of the find. No one yet knows who built it, when, or why. A joint Argentine and Spanish expedition, including archaeologists from the University of Jaén, is preparing to climb to the site with Gobbi as a guide to date it and uncover its purpose.

Gobbi’s discovery highlights the growing trend of using satellite imagery for archaeological finds. While satellites provide a view of the shape, on-the-ground exploration remains essential for measurement and dating. For now, the circles in the Cordillera del Tigre remain an enigma, a testament to human ingenuity with reasons yet to be understood.