Exploring The Ancient Tihuanaku Province In Bolivia

Tiwanaku, also known as Tiahuanaco or Tiwanacu, is a Pre-Columbian archaeological site in western Bolivia, near Lake Titicaca, about 70 kilometres from La Paz. The site was first recorded in written history in 1549 by Spanish conquistador Pedro Cieza de León while searching for the southern Inca capital of Qullasuyu. The main Tiwanaku site was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2000.

Tiwanaku is a Pre-Columbian archaeological site in western Bolivia, near Lake Titicaca

Tiwanaku was first recorded in written history in 1549 by Spanish conquistador Pedro Cieza de León, who was searching for the southern Inca capital of Qullasuyu. The site is believed to have been inhabited by 10,000 to 20,000 people in AD 800 and is thought to have been the centre of a powerful empire and the sacred heart of the Andean region.

The growth of Tiwanaku is thought to have begun in the early centuries of the first millennium AD, with the city reaching its peak between AD 500 and AD 1000. The growth of the city has been attributed to its complex agropastoral economy, supported by trade. The city covered an area of more than two square miles and was organised in a grid plan.

Tiwanaku's location between Lake Titicaca and the dry highlands provided an ideal environment for agricultural farming, with the ancient people developing expanded farming and agricultural techniques. The city is surrounded by mountains and hills and is located 13,000 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest urban centres ever constructed.

The site features impressive architectural structures, including palaces, temples, pyramids, giant monoliths and figurative representations. The structures that have been excavated include the Akapana, a terraced platform mound, and the Pumapunku stepped platforms. The Kalasasaya is a large courtyard featuring the Gateway of the Sun, adorned with a carved central figure of a staff-carrying Doorway God.

Tiwanaku is also known for its unique stonework, with enormous blocks of stone weighing up to 25 tons. The site has been the subject of various theories and speculation, including claims of ancient alien intervention due to the complexity of the stonework.

The site was inhabited by 10,000 to 20,000 people in AD 800

Tiwanaku, also known as Tiahuanaco or Tiahuanacu, is a Pre-Columbian archaeological site in western Bolivia, near Lake Titicaca, about 70 kilometres from La Paz. It is one of the largest sites in South America, covering around 4 square kilometres. The site was first recorded in written history in 1549 by Spanish conquistador Pedro Cieza de León, who was searching for the southern Inca capital of Qullasuyu.

By AD 800, the site of Tiwanaku was inhabited by an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 people. The population had grown rapidly since around AD 600, possibly due to a massive immigration from the surrounding countryside. The city's growth was facilitated by its complex agropastoral economy, supported by trade. Tiwanaku's location between Lake Titicaca and the dry highlands was ideal for agricultural farming and herding. The ancient people developed expanded farming and agricultural techniques, which were invaluable to their civilisation's growth.

The people of Tiwanaku were skilled artisans, specialising in pottery, jewellery, and textiles. They also had a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, which influenced their architecture. The city featured impressive monumental structures, including the terraced platform mound Akapana, the Kalasasaya courtyard, and the Semi-Subterranean Temple.

The growth of Tiwanaku's population led to the development of occupational niches and hierarchical stratification within the state. The elites of Tiwanaku, who may have lived inside four walls surrounded by a moat, controlled the economic output and redistributed resources to the commoners. The common people, on the other hand, specialised in various occupations such as agriculture, herding, and pastoralism.

By AD 800, Tiwanaku had become a powerful and influential civilisation, with its reach extending into present-day Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and northern Argentina. It was a multicultural network that brought people together to build large monuments and participate in religious ceremonies. Tiwanaku became the most important pilgrimage destination in the Andes and one of the largest Pre-Columbian cities in South America.

Tiwanaku is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Tiwanaku, a municipality in the Ingavi Province of the La Paz Department in Bolivia, is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site, which is also known as Tiahuanaco or Tiwanacu, is the location of a major pre-Columbian civilisation. The Tiwanaku site was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2000.

Tiwanaku was the centre of a powerful pre-Hispanic empire that dominated a large area of the southern Andes and beyond. The city reached its peak between 500 and 900 AD. The Tiwanaku culture is distinct from any other pre-Hispanic empire in the Americas.

The principal buildings of Tiwanaku include the Akapana Pyramid, a huge stepped pyramid made of earth and faced with cut andesite; the Kalasasaya, a rectangular enclosure constructed of tall stone columns and smaller rectangular blocks; and the Palacio, another enclosure. The Kalasasaya features the monolithic Gateway of the Sun, adorned with a carved central figure of a staff-carrying Doorway God, along with other subsidiary figures.

The archaeological site of Tiwanaku also includes two museums: the Museo Ceramico and the Museo Litico. The former houses a collection of pottery from the Tiwanaku civilisation, including pieces used for ceremonies and everyday purposes. The latter museum features the Monolito Bennett Pachamama (Bennett Monolith), a 7.3-metre-tall statue covered in carvings.

The site was first recorded in written history in 1549 by Spanish conquistador Pedro Cieza de León

The site of Tiwanaku (also known as Tiahuanaco or Tiahuanacu) in Bolivia was first recorded in written history in 1549 by Spanish conquistador Pedro Cieza de León. Located about 70 kilometres from La Paz, near the south-eastern shore of Lake Titicaca, Tiwanaku is an ancient archaeological site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the largest sites in South America, covering around 4 square kilometres of surface remains, including decorated ceramics, monumental structures, and megalithic blocks.

Pedro Cieza de León was a Spanish conquistador and chronicler who explored and documented his travels in the Americas during the 16th century. In 1549, he undertook a journey to the silver-yielding province of Charcas in present-day Bolivia. While in this region, he visited Tiwanaku, then known as Tiahuanaco, and recorded his observations of the site.

De León's writings provide valuable insights into the ancient site of Tiwanaku. He wandered over the ruins, carefully noting his observations. He described the site as having "ruins of palaces and storehouses" and noted the presence of "huge blocks of stone" and "enormous monolithic doorways". De León also commented on the agricultural nature of the site, mentioning the fields and terraces surrounding the stone huts of the Aymara people, who once inhabited the area.

The inclusion of Tiwanaku in de León's writings is significant as it provides a glimpse into the site's history and the civilisation that occupied it. Through his descriptions, we learn about the architecture, agricultural practices, and cultural artefacts of a people who flourished before the Inca Empire. De León's account also adds to the mystery surrounding Tiwanaku, as he acknowledges that the origin and history of the extensive ruins "will forever remain a secret".

The site of Tiwanaku, first recorded by Pedro Cieza de León in 1549, continues to be a subject of fascination and exploration. It stands as a testament to the rich history and cultural significance of the region, attracting visitors from around the world who come to uncover the secrets and stories that this ancient site holds.

The Tiwanaku people used a raised-field system for farming, which involved raised planting surfaces separated by small irrigation ditches

Tiwanaku, also known as Tiahuanaco or Tiwanacu, is a Pre-Columbian archaeological site in western Bolivia, near Lake Titicaca, about 70 kilometres from La Paz. It is one of the largest sites in South America, covering around 4 square kilometres.

The raised fields were constructed by excavating parallel canals and piling the earth between them to form long, low mounds with flat or slightly curved surfaces. These mounds, typically 1 metre tall, improved soil fertility and drainage while creating a more favourable micro-environment for the crops. The canals provided vital moisture during droughts and may have been used to cultivate aquatic plants and fish, as well as attract birds for food.

The raised-field system played a significant role in the growth and influence of the Tiwanaku civilisation. It allowed them to expand their agricultural production and develop a complex agropastoral economy, supported by trade. This, in turn, contributed to the growth of the city, which is estimated to have had a population of over 10,000 people at its height.

The raised-field system demonstrates the engineering prowess and agricultural expertise of the Tiwanaku people, who were able to thrive in the challenging environmental conditions of the Andean region.

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