Stone spheres of Costa Rica

The Stone Spheres of Costa Rica are a group of pre‑Columbian petrospheres found mainly in the Diquís Delta and surrounding areas of Puntarenas Province. They are attributed to the indigenous cultures of southwestern Costa Rica and are notable for their often nearly perfect spherical shape.

Examples range from small rounded stones to large carved spheres over two metres across; many are found in clusters associated with plazas and mounds. Some groups of spheres remain in situ at archaeological complexes, while others have been moved to museums or private collections.

The spheres were produced in pre‑Columbian times by local artisan traditions; many were recorded and protected during the 20th century and the Diquís archaeological sites with spheres were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. Conservation and interpretation efforts continue to protect remaining in‑situ contexts.

Most documented spheres and their archaeological sites are located in the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica, particularly the Diquís Delta near Palmar Sur and surrounding lowland landscapes in Puntarenas Province.

• Size range: Spheres vary widely in size, from a few centimetres to over two metres in diameter, and were carved from granodiorite and other local stones.

What to See #

• Finca 6: Finca 6 is one of the best-known in situ archaeological complexes in the Diquís region where multiple carved stone spheres remain on their original plazas and mound contexts.
• Diquís Delta sites: Several dispersed archaeological sites in the Diquís Delta and its interior hold spheres that vary in size and context, often associated with precolumbian settlement mounds and plazas.