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The famous carved figure on the decorated archway in the ancient (pre-Incan) city of Tiahuanaco, known as the "Gateway of the Sun," most likely represents Viracocha, flanked by 48 winged effigies, 32 with human faces and 16 with condor's heads. Some believe that the strange symbols might represent a calendar, the oldest in the world. This huge monument is hewn from a single block of stone weighing 10 tons. It is thought that its original location was in the Puma Punku (another large complex to the south). Maybe that was when the stone was broken.
Updated Dec 31, 2004
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The Monolito Ponce is on the east-west axis of the Kalasasaya but more toward the east end. He or she is about 3 meters tall. You can see Puerta del Sol in the background of this picture. It is located in the northwest corner of the Kalasasaya.
Written Dec 31, 2004
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The original Megalito Bennetto Pachamama is in a large room to the right but photography is not allowed in there. This large monolith was originally found in the Templete Semisubterraneo. At one time it was moved to La Paz and displayed in the Templete Subterraneo Park by the soccer stadium. The park now has a replica instead (see my La Paz tips).
Updated Dec 31, 2004
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There were three levels in the Tiwanaku religion...Alaxpacha (upper), Akapacha (ground) and Manqapacha (lower). They are represented at Tiwanaku by the Akapana, Kalasasaya and Templete Semisubterraneo, respectively. This picture was taken from the top of the Akapana pyramid and shows part of the Kalasasaya on the left and the Templete Semisubterraneo on the right.
Written Dec 30, 2004
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There is an interesting museum included in the price of admissions to the Ruins. It contains a good range of ceramics, crafts, and bones of the inhabitants of Tiahuanuco. Notice the skulls in the picture. Similar to meso-american indians (in Central and North America), the inhabitants of Tiahuanuco used several techniches to alter the skull. For them, having this alteration done was a sign of wealth and nobelity.
Written Sep 29, 2002
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insert finger and see the perfect flat panel.
Some researchers have concluded that the ancients constructed the site with astronomical alignments in mind called Celestial Observatories.
Updated Jun 10, 2005
This medium sized courtyard is studded with sculptured stone heads set into cut-stone facing walls and in the middle of the court was located a now-famous monolithic stela.
Written Jun 3, 2005
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The El Fraile monolith is located in the southwest corner of the Kalasasaya. It is not as famous as the other monoliths but is nonetheless impressive.
Written Dec 31, 2004
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This is a view of the museums from the top of Akapana, looking to the southwest. You can also see the new excavation on the west side of Akapana in the foreground.
Updated Dec 31, 2004
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If luck is on your side, you may just find yourself in town during the Market day. The market is small, but really interested. There are many local campesinos that still hold their Andean roots.
Written Sep 29, 2002
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The railroad is now abandoned but the tracks still run in front of the old museum building. The old railroad station sign says Tiahuanaco.
Once upon a time, before the incas...
Little is known of this amazing culture that once inhabited the south shore of Lake Titicaca. They were here before the Inca's domination and developed a relatively advanced culture, with many...
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