Tiwanaku, Pre-Columbian archaeological site in La Paz Department, Bolivia.
Tiwanaku is an archaeological site in La Paz Department, Bolivia, preserving remains of a pre-Columbian civilization. The ruins contain pyramids, temples, and monoliths spread across a wide area at 3629 meters above sea level.
The civilization of Tiwanaku developed between 300 and 1000 AD, building a powerful empire in the Andes. Its influence extended across western Bolivia, southern Peru, and northern Chile before it declined.
The semi-subterranean temple displays 175 carved stone heads on its interior walls, each with a different face. Visitors stand surrounded by portraits representing all the peoples once part of the empire.
The site sits at an altitude that can make walking more tiring; arriving early in the morning offers a calmer atmosphere and softer light. Two museums on site display collections of ceramics and stone sculptures, including the 7.3-meter-tall Bennett Monolith.
The Gateway of the Sun shows intricate carvings that demonstrate astronomical and mathematical knowledge. Some researchers believe the images also form a calendar, though its exact meaning remains debated.
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