[1] The Diquis formed part of the Greater Chiriqui culture that spanned from southern Costa Rica to western Panama.
Their meaning is also a matter of debate: it was initially postulated that they were symbols of rank, power and ethnic identity, given that their number, finish and size is greater near the villages.
The most recent hypothesis - raised by the Costa Rican architect Melissa Rudin through her research[4] - is also based on mythical-religious aspects: the spheres are representations of Centers of the World; that is - within the worldview of the culture - they are considered beings that house universes within themselves and are charged with energy.
[4] The stone spheres are considered a historical milestone of Costa Rica's pre-Hispanic past, since they are a formal synthesis that denotes a unique degree of plastic maturity.
Today, the stone spheres are the national symbol of Costa Rica and have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.