The San Agustín region is noted for the fact that it is home to at least 500 impressive anthropomorphous figures carved in stone, either as part of funerary shrines or scattered in small groups over an area of approximately 3000 km2. Most of them are within ten kilometres of the village of San Agustín itself.

There are other types of statues and stone carvings in the Upper Magdalena region as well: standing statues at funerary shrines, statues in ceremonial enclosures, medium-sized statues buried inside and outside tombs, column-like statues that were used as retaining walls, natural blocks of stone that have been carved, such as the Lavapatas fountain, graffiti on slabs, and petroglyphs.

Most statues were part of the funerary practices of ancient societies, and because of their iconographic features, they are related to funerary rituals, the spiritual power of the dead, and the supernatural world in general.

The statues are fundamentally male anthropomorphous figures, although they do occasionally show certain characteristics of animals like bats, alligators or feline figures. Their features are similar: bulging, almond-shaped eyes, flat noses, and fierce mouths with interwoven canines. A narrow upper bulge that is sometimes present is also found on Yotoco period headdresses from Calima. Most were originally painted yellow, red, black and white, although these colours have only been preserved on those that remained buried or under cover.

These figures were made using rocks local to the region, such as andesite and tuff. In view of their precision, detail and symmetry, they are believed to have followed a preconceived design.

The basic scheme for representing the human figure was a straight trunk with high, square shoulders, rigid position, and enormous head. Arms are flat, thin and slightly bent at the elbows, and they end in fingers rather than claws; the hands occasionally hold objects; although short, the legs are human, as are the feet; the lower part of the body is no more than hinted at. The body can be said to show little sign of movement or emotion, and the expressive force is located in the face, with the mouth and the prominent eyes.

The feline-dignitary figure occasionally has crowns of feathers outlined on it, or bands with ribbons around the head in the form of a snail and punch, necklaces, bracelets or belts. Other symbols are also used, such as trophy heads, snakes, fish, monkeys, phallic symbols, and children who often accompany it and help it reaffirm its power. In addition to the group of symbols associated with the feline figure as male force and power, the iconography of these statues also includes frogs, snakes and lizards, beings that are associated with water, which seems to symbolise the life-giving female force or power.

Occasionally, a statue may be surrounded or guarded by warrior guards, thus giving the deceased even greater power and importance. The guards have symbolic elements as well, such as fish, headdresses or snakes.

San Agustín and the Gold Museum Exhibition

San Agustín: Development of a Hierarchical Society

The Art of Carving Stone

Archaeological Parks: San Agustín