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Click
images for an enlarged view
14th March 1998
Today we visited Tiwanaku
- a city built in 3000 BC. The top left of the above
plan shows the Kapana Pyramid with seven terraces and
seven walls. The cross-shaped area on the upper level
would have delineated a temple in pre-colonial times.
The pyramid evokes the mountains, which were worshipped
by all the Andean People.
In the bottom left is
a semi-underground temple, and a quadrangle open space
whose walls are lined with carved heads believed possibly
to represent the nations of the world. Other explanations
suggest the representation of the heads of defeated
enemies. Three of four original monoliths remain, one
of which is supposed to be the legendary 'white ruler'
Kon-Tiki.
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Kalasasaya is in the centre at
the bottom. This was an open temple with a raised terrace
and interior court yard structure believed to be an observatory.
Its construction follows strict astronomical lines, which
chart the sun's movement and highlights both the solstice
and the equinoxes in both May and September. At these
times the sun's rays pass directly through each of the
gates facing east. The sun gate itself delineates the
passage of the sun and the months of the year. Huge monoliths
in the centre represent pastoral gods.
On the right is Kheri Qala and Putuni (Palace of the Sarcophaguses)
which are two palace constructions to the west of the
sun temple.
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