Tiwanaku - Bolivia

This is a Pre-Columbian archaeological site in western Bolivia.
It was discovered in 1549 by Spanish conquistador Pedro Cieza de León.
It's near Lake Titicata.

 The Gate of the Sun. This megalithic solid stone arch is constructed from a single piece of stone. The weight is estimated to be 10 tons. The inscriptions found on the object are mysterious. They are believed to be either of astronomical and/or astrological significance.
The Gateway is 2.8 metres high and 3.8 metres wide. 
 

The lintel is carved with 48 squares surrounding a central figure. Each square represents a character in the form of winged effigy. There are 32 effigies with human faces and 16 with condors' heads. All look to the central motif: the figure of a man with his head surrounded by 24 linear rays that may represent rays of the sun.
Some historians and archaeologists believe that the central figure represents the “Sun God”, while others have linked it with the Inca god Viracocha.
(Wikipedia).

Most archieologists appear to date the site to around 300BC to AD 300.
The area around Tiwanaku may have been inhabited as early as 1500 BC.

                        Ponce Monolith.

Such statues perhaps represented the race of stone giants which first populated the world in pan-Andean mythology. Gold pins and traces of piant indicate they were once clothed in textiles and decorated with bright colours. The statue is 3.5 metres tall and dates to c. 300 CE.

 The figure holds a kero (qero) or tall beaker in one hand and a staff-like object, perhaps a sceptre or coca snuff tablet, in the other.

Another mega statue.

Kalasasaya, Tiwanaku. This walled compound of sandstone blocks creates a sacred space used for public and religious ceremonies. It measures 130 by 120 metres.   Standing in the precinct is the Ponce Monolith.

 It has stone heads protruding from the interior of its sandstone perimeter walls

Pumapunku.

Kantatallita is one of the most destroyed ruins of Tiwanaku, where we see huge blocks of cut stone in great geometric detail.

Kantatallita Lintel, Tiwanaku, Bolivia

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Lake Titicaca

Titicaca or Titiqaqa is a lake in the Andes on the border of Peru and Bolivia

 We stayed on an island on the Peruvian side. Very kind & hospitable people.  Traditional dress. Last night on the island.

Cooking is a simple yet wholesome affair.
Lovely food.

These are islands on the Bolivian side. They are made of reeds & mud. They float on the lake surface.

 A demo of the island's makeup.

 People live, grow food, etc etc on the islands. It's quite amazing.

 It's been a dog of a day.

 Poor guinea pig

 Too cute to eat.

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