South America is a large continent that encompasses many different cultures and landscapes. Over the years, its soil has been disturbed by humans in a variety of ways, which has led to the spread of various types of ashes. In this article, we take a look at some of the weirdest places ashes have been scattered in South America.
Argentina
The ashes of some of the world’s most famous people—including Julius Caesar, Winston Churchill and Marilyn Monroe—have been found scattered in different parts of South America.
Some of these sites are well known tourist destinations, like Machu Picchu in Peru and Cusco in Peru, but some are less well known and even little known.
One such site is the Llullaillaco volcano in Argentina. The remains of Marilyn Monroe were found here in 2002, just a few months after her death. There are also scattered remains of other celebrities, including Richard Burton, Charlie Chaplin and Elizabeth II.
While many tourists flock to these sites to pay their respects to the famous dead, others find the eerie atmosphere creepy or even sinister.
Peru
In Peru, ash has been scattered at archaeological sites, including the Machu Picchu ruins. Scientists believe that the ash is from a volcanic eruption in 1984.
Chile
The ashes of many famous people have been scattered in different parts of South America. Some of the more interesting places where ashes have been scattered include:
- Atacama Desert, Chile: The Atacama Desert is a place so desolate that it’s used as a testing ground for spacecraft and satellites. It’s also home to the World’s Youngest Dry River, which is only 2 inches deep and has been flowing since the late 1800s. In 1873, American author Mark Twain was buried there after his death. His body was later moved to another section of the desert.
- Iquitos, Peru: Iquitos is known for its Amazonian rainforest and waterways. But it’s also home to the world’s second-largest ash heap, created by a volcanic eruption in 1992. The ash from the eruption covers an area of about 25 square miles and is still piling up.
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Rio de Janeiro has a long history of being plagued by hurricanes, floods and fires. But it’s also home to a scattering of ashes that belonged to French author Alexandre Dumas père (1802-1870). The ashes were scattered at the Guanabara Bay in 1874, just a few months before Dumas père’s death.
- Paraguay: Paraguay is home to a scattering of ash from a volcanic eruption that took place in 1990. The ash covers an area of about 50 square miles and can be seen from space.
Colombia
The ashes of some of the world’s most famous people are scattered all over South America. Some of these places are really strange, and make for great tourist attractions.
Take, for example, Bogota, Colombia. The capital city is home to the mausoleum of Jorge Rafael Videla, who was the head of Argentina’s military junta during the 1970s and 1980s. He was convicted of crimes against humanity and died in prison in 1994.
Videla’s mausoleum is located in a very secluded part of Bogota. To get there, you have to take a taxi from the center of the city and ask to be dropped off at “El Campo de los Andes.” From there, it’s a long walk up a winding path to the mausoleum.
Another strange place where ashes of famous people have been scattered is Cerro de la Virgen de Fatima, located in MedellÃn, Colombia. The Virgin Mary reportedly appeared to three young children here in 1917 and said that her son Jesus would come back one day and bring peace to the world.
Since then, millions of people have visited Cerro de laVirgen de Fatima to pray and make promises to the Virgin. The hill is now home to a large statue of the Virgin Mary, and tourists can climb up to it to get a view of the surrounding city.
One final strange place where famous people’s ashes are scattered is in Paracas, Peru. The town is known for its unusual mausoleums, some of which were built by ancient Inca kings. Some of these tombs have secret chambers inside them, and it’s said that some of the ashes of famous people are actually buried here.
Ecuador
The Weirdest Places Ashes Have Been Scattered in South America
By: Caitlin Dewey
South America is a place with an abundance of culture and natural beauty. But it’s also home to some strange, unexplained phenomena. Here are five of the weirdest places ashes have been scattered:
1. In Ecuador, residents of the town of Loja reportedly discovered a bag filled with ash and bone fragments on the side of a road in 2014. It’s still unknown who or what was behind this mysterious act.
2. In Peru, ashes were scattered near Machu Picchu in 2013 by someone or something unknown. The incident sparked concerns among tourists, who feared that it could damage the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s reputation.
3. In Chile, an expat couple reportedly scattered ashes on a beach near Valparaiso in 2016 after their son committed suicide. The couple claimed they didn’t know why they did it, but some locals believe they may have been trying to send a message to the rest of the world.
4. In Argentina, several ash deposits have been found near Salta province over the past few years, leading some to believe that someone or somethingis intentionally burning pieces of paper there.
5. And finally, in Brazil, ashes were scattered near the town of Nova Lima in 2016 after a student killed herself. Again, no one knows who or what is responsible for this mysterious act.
Conclusion
The ashes of some unknown person or people have been scattered all over South America, and the mystery has yet to be solved. Some say that these ashes hold an esoteric power that can grant great fortune to those who find them, while others believe they are a warning from the dead about some impending danger. Whoever put them there, their purpose is still a mystery—but it’s one worth investigating.
