Exploring Tiahuanaco: Unveiling Bolivia's Ancient Provincial Secrets

Tiahuanaco, also known as Tiwanaku, is a Pre-Columbian archaeological site in western Bolivia, near Lake Titicaca. It is one of the largest sites in South America, covering around 4 square kilometres and including decorated ceramics, monumental structures, and megalithic blocks. The site is believed to have been inhabited by 10,000 to 20,000 people in AD 800 and served as a ceremonial centre in the southern Andes. While the province in which Tiahuanaco is located is not explicitly mentioned, it is understood that Bolivia is divided into departments, which are further divided into provinces. Therefore, Tiahuanaco is situated within a province in the department of La Paz, Bolivia.

The Akapana Pyramid

The dating of the Tiwanaku site has been refined over the years, with early estimates placing the site's origins between 200 BCE and 200 CE. More recent research suggests that the site was founded around AD 110, with some construction continuing into the Middle Horizon (600-1000 CE). The growth of Tiwanaku is attributed to its complex agropastoral economy, supported by trade. The site is characterised by monumental structures and decorated ceramics, with freestanding carved stone figures and unique gateways discovered among the ruins.

The Kalasasaya Temple

The Kalasasaya is a low platform mound with a large courtyard, surrounded by high stone walls. Its dimensions are approximately 120 by 130 meters, and it is aligned with the cardinal directions. The courtyard, located north of the Akapana and west of the Semi-Subterranean Temple, features a central sunken court, which can be accessed via a grand staircase through an opening in the eastern wall.

The walls of the Kalasasaya are constructed from alternating sandstone pillars and smaller blocks of Ashlar masonry. The incorporation of tenon heads in various styles suggests that the structure was adapted for different purposes over time. While the wall has been reconstructed in modern times, excavations from 1957 to 1960 revealed the need to rebuild all four walls and the entrance gate.

The Kalasasaya dates back to at least 200 BCE-200 CE. Within its courtyard, explorers discovered the Gateway of the Sun, adorned with a central figure of a staff-carrying Doorway God, accompanied by subsidiary figures referred to as "angels" or "winged messengers." This gateway is believed to have been moved from its original location.

The unique carvings atop the Gateway of the Sun depict animals and other beings, possibly representing a calendar system unique to the Tiwanaku culture. While there is no definitive evidence for this theory, the gateway's iconography is also found on various artefacts, reinforcing its importance to the culture.

The Subterranean Temple

Tiwanaku, also known as Tiahuanaco or Tiahuanacu in Spanish, is a Pre-Columbian archaeological site in western Bolivia, near Lake Titicaca. It is one of the largest sites in South America, covering around 4 square kilometres. The site is believed to have been inhabited by 10,000 to 20,000 people in AD 800.

Tiwanaku is known for its impressive structures, including the Akapana, a terraced platform mound, and the Pumapunku, a man-made platform featuring a large stone terrace. Another notable structure is the Kalasasaya, a large courtyard where the Gateway of the Sun was discovered.

Near the Kalasasaya courtyard is the Semi-Subterranean Temple, a unique structure that deviates from the typical east-west axis, instead following a north-south orientation. This temple is characterised by its square sunken courtyard and walls adorned with tenon heads in various styles, indicating that the structure was reused for different purposes over time.

The Semi-Subterranean Temple, also known as the Templete Semisubterraneo, is particularly intriguing due to the presence of approximately 175 stone heads protruding from its interior walls. The purpose and significance of these stone heads remain a mystery, although various theories exist. Unfortunately, extensive looting and amateur excavations have resulted in the loss of many original artefacts and structural elements at the Tiwanaku site.

The following paragraphs will delve into the details of the Semi-Subterranean Temple, exploring its architectural features, historical significance, and the ongoing mysteries that surround this ancient structure.

The Semi-Subterranean Temple, located near the Kalasasaya courtyard, is a unique structure within the Tiwanaku site. Deviating from the typical east-west axis, this temple follows a north-south orientation, setting it apart from other structures. The temple is characterised by its square sunken courtyard, with walls constructed from sandstone pillars and smaller blocks of Ashlar masonry.

One of the most fascinating features of the Semi-Subterranean Temple is the array of tenon heads covering its walls. These tenon heads, numbering approximately 175, are carved in a variety of styles, suggesting that the temple served multiple purposes or underwent reuse over time. The significance of these stone heads remains a subject of speculation, with no definitive conclusions as of yet.

The temple is believed to have been an important ceremonial centre for the Tiwanaku culture, potentially used for shamanic rituals and other religious practices. This belief is supported by archaeological findings and the temple's proximity to other significant structures, such as the Akapana pyramid and the Gateway of the Sun.

Unfortunately, like many other structures at Tiwanaku, the Semi-Subterranean Temple has suffered from looting and amateur excavations over the centuries. This has resulted in the loss of original artefacts and structural elements, making it challenging for archaeologists to fully reconstruct the temple's original appearance and purpose.

Despite the challenges posed by looting and the passage of time, the Semi-Subterranean Temple remains a crucial part of understanding the Tiwanaku civilisation and their religious practices. The temple's unique architecture and proximity to other significant structures suggest that it played a central role in the cultural and spiritual life of this ancient society.

The Puma Punku

Puma Punku is a large temple complex located near Tiwanaku, in Bolivia, and is part of a larger archaeological site known as Tiahuanacu. The temple's origin is a mystery, but based on carbon dating of organic material found on the site, archaeologists believe the complex may have been built by the Tiwanaku empire, which flourished between 300 and 1000 CE.

The most intriguing aspect of Puma Punku is its stonework. The temple was a terraced earthen mound faced with megalithic blocks, each weighing several tons. The red sandstone and andesite stones were cut with such precision that they fit together perfectly, without the use of mortar. The technical finesse and precision displayed in these stone blocks is astounding, with joints so tight that not even a razor blade can slide between the rocks. The craftsmanship and precision cutting indicate a highly advanced understanding of stone-cutting and descriptive geometry.

The largest of these blocks is 25.6 feet long, 17 feet wide, 3.5 feet thick, and weighs an estimated 131 tons. The second-largest stone block is 25.9 feet long, 8.2 feet wide, 6.1 feet thick, and weighs approximately 85 tons. The red sandstone blocks were transported from a quarry near Lake Titicaca, about 10 kilometers away, while the smaller andesite blocks came from quarries within the Copacabana Peninsula, about 90 kilometers away across Lake Titicaca.

The construction of Puma Punku is believed to have begun around 536 CE, and it is thought to have been the most important construction in Tiwanaku, aside from Akapana. The site holds several miniature gates that are perfect replicas of once-standing full-size gateways, and it is estimated that at least five gateways were part of the original complex.

Tiwanaku, the location of Puma Punku, holds significant importance in Inca traditions. According to these traditions, it is believed to be the site where the world was created. The name "Puma Punku" itself means "Gate of the Puma" in Aymara.

Today, only the ruins of the monumental complex on top of the Puma Punku platform mound remain. The site appears to have been destroyed by an earthquake, perhaps accompanied by a tidal wave from Lake Titicaca.

Tiwanaku's influence on the Inca

Tiwanaku, a pre-Columbian archaeological site in western Bolivia, was a Pre-Incan civilisation that left its mark on the Andes. The Tiwanaku Polity, also known as Tiahuanaco, was one of the most significant Andean civilisations, with influence extending into present-day Peru, Chile, and even northern Argentina.

The Tiwanaku state, which lasted from around 550 to 950 AD, was a powerful and expansive culture, though not an empire in the traditional sense. Instead, it was a multicultural network that brought people together to build large monuments and participate in powerful ceremonies. This dynamic likely attracted people from hundreds of kilometres away, who travelled and traded via llama caravans.

Tiwanaku became the most important pilgrimage destination in the Andes and one of the largest Pre-Columbian cities, with a population of 10,000 to 20,000 around 800 AD. The city was located at an altitude of roughly 3,800 to 4,000 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest urban centres ever constructed.

The influence of Tiwanaku on the Inca, who came after them, is evident in several ways. The Inca incorporated Tiwanaku into their mythology as the birthplace of mankind. They also built their own structures alongside Tiwanaku ruins, thus linking their legacy with that of the earlier civilisation.

In addition, the practice of pilgrimage, which was important to Tiwanaku, was later adopted by the Inca civilisation. This included ritual journeys around Lake Titicaca, where artefacts from both cultures have been found. The Inca may have sought to legitimise their power by associating themselves with Tiwanaku and mimicking their pilgrimage routes.

There are also similarities in the architecture of the two civilisations. Both the Tiwanaku and the Inca constructed elaborate gateways and temples. The Inca also built their structures using large stones, though their masonry style differs from that of the Tiwanaku.

The Inca also adopted similar agricultural techniques as Tiwanaku, including the use of raised fields, terraces, and qochas (sunken regions of land used for agriculture, grazing, and water reservoirs). These techniques allowed for increased agricultural production and were later revived by some Bolivian farmers in the late 20th century.

In summary, the influence of Tiwanaku on the Inca can be seen in their mythology, architecture, agricultural practices, and cultural rituals. The Inca incorporated and built upon the achievements of Tiwanaku, creating a powerful empire that dominated the region for centuries.

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