Tiwanaku (or Tiahuanaco) defies logic. Precision cut stones show evidence of space-age engineering. Whoever built it had to have had knowledge of advanced technology. This alone makes Tiwanaku one of the most complex structures in the world and by rights should be given the headlines alongside The Pyramids of Egypt and Machu Picchu.

Little is known about the builders and mainstream archaeologists appear a little coy about the mysterious civilisation, with the exception of Arthur Ponansky, who dedicated his life´s work to investigating the site. Ponansky determined that the settlement was built to reflect the star system of Pleiades how it would have appeared in the night sky in 15,000BCE. 

Given Ponansky´s findings and the evidence of space-age technology, Tiwanaku hints at an earlier civilisation that were technologically advanced way before mainstreams historians would have us believe.

Accounts taken from ancient legends say Tiwanaku was the work of foreigners with “godlike powers who had settled here, long ages ago,” and that the stones had been lifted miraculously off the ground, ‘carried through the air to the sound of a trumpet.’

One thing we can say for certain is that Tiwanaku was the mother of Andean civilization. The Tiwanakan culture had an enormous impact throughout the region and during its peak controlled the entire Titicaca basin. This once thriving city is thought to have been the home of between 75,000 to 120,000 inhabitants with a further 150,000 living in the surrounding areas.

When the Spanish invaded South America in the 16th century they demolished Tiwanaku and used the stones to build nearby San Pedro Church. Today Tiwanaku lays in tatters. As an eye-catching spectacle there is little to get excited about, but the extraordinary architecture still evident in the ruins of Puma Punku is sure to raise curiosity. And that is perhaps why not many people have heard of it. Having travelled throughout South America for the last year, I am yet to meet a fellow backpacker who is familiar with the ruins of Tiwanaku.

Upon entering the archaeological grounds you find the remains of the Akapana Pyramid. In its heyday it stood 60ft (18m) tall and covered an area of 16 square metres. The seven terraced platforms take a similar shape to the ones found in the Mayan temples of Mexico and represent the seven levels of man which features predominantly in Andean cultures.

The remains of the Akapana were discovered buried under sand and though much of the site has still to be excavated, satellite images reveal a number of important and significant facts.

On top of the pyramid are two rows of columnar stones that form the constellation of Chakana. In ancient Andean customs this constellation was considered the centre of the Universe. Today it is more commonly known as the Andean Cross or Inca Cross.

The unexpected discovery lead scholars to declare Tiwanaku was an astronomical centre and that the site engineers had a highly complex knowledge of astronomy, geometry and mathematics. Furthermore, it was also revealed that the structure omits electro-magnetic energy so immense you can feel the charge flow through your hands.

During the spring and autumn equinox, the sun falls through the Gate of the Sun indicating the Temple complex was designed to operate as an astronomical calendar. Today, it is generally accepted by scholars that Tiwanaku was a sophisticated celestial observation centre.

Excavations at the site started in 2002 and with funding from the UNESCO World Heritage Foundation re-building work has begun on the Akapana Temple. However, it work has come to an abrupt halt as the Bolivian Government are using Adobe bricks to restore pyramid which UNESCO argue will not reflect the buildings original state.

If the blocades of bureaucracy are ever lifted and Tiwanaku is given exposure, the site will become the flagstone of Bolivian Tourism and quite rightly ushered in the same breath as Machu Picchu in neighbouring Peru. In the meantime, the mystery of Tiwanaku and the potential alien technology they used will remain buried in the files of archaeologists and bureaucrats.

737 views since Feb 08, 2012 by thesecondcoming

Report This Media

 Posted by RAHUL on Feb 08, 2012 06:55 AM