Sillustani, Archaeological site near Lake Umayo, Puno, Peru
Sillustani is an archaeological site on a peninsula at the shore of Lake Umayo in Puno Province. The cylindrical towers built from cut stones reach heights of up to 12 meters (39 feet) and stand at 3,844 meters (12,612 feet) above sea level.
The Kolla civilization built the first towers between 1200 and 1450, before the area was incorporated into the Inca Empire. The Incas later constructed larger towers with even more precise stone joints, showing their advanced building techniques.
The name chullpa comes from the Aymara language and describes towers where nobles were buried with offerings and personal belongings. Families visited the towers regularly and brought food for the deceased, a practice that still continues in the surrounding villages today.
The site lies 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the city of Puno and can be reached through organized tours or private vehicles. Wind on the hillside can be very strong, so warm clothing is recommended along with enough time to climb the peninsula.
Some towers were never finished and still show huge stone blocks that were transported to the construction site and then left behind. The technique for moving these massive stones across the hilly terrain remains a puzzle among researchers.
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