Ancient Temple Ruins Shed Light on Life of Tiwanaku, a Thriving Pre-Inca Civilization

Based on archaeological excavations, we know that ancient ancient civilizations emerged at least up to 3500 BCE and evolves until the Spanish conquest begins in the 15th century. In particular, the last and the youngest civilization, the Inca Empire, is also the best known today. However, several civilizations prospered in South America before the Inca leaves its mark.

Researchers from Penn State University and Bolivia recently discovered a temple of Tiwanaku civilization, one of the greatest empires that emerged before the Inca.

Their studypublished in Antiquity, Displays the Temple site in detail, and as José Capriles, an associate professor of anthropology and the main study author of Penn State, has put in a press release: “With more understanding of the past of this old site, we get a window on how people have managed cooperation and how we can considerably see evidence of political and economic control.”

Who were the Tiwanaku?

Tiwanaku have fascinated experts for generations. Based on Lake Titicaca in Bolivia today, they have extended their influence in the regions of current Peru, Chile and Argentina and are known for their monumental architecture and their regional influence.

“At its peak, it boasted of a highly organized societal structure, leaving behind the remains of architectural monuments such as pyramids, terraced temples and monoliths, most of which are distributed in the sites around Lake Titicaca and, although we know the control of Tiwanaku and the influence extended much further, Scholars debate the real quantity of distant, ”said Capriles.

Despite their successes, Capriles said that their company had collapsed around 1000 EC and was already in ruins when the Incas arrived. New discoveries like The Temple Discovery could help researchers better understand their way of life and, ultimately, their mysterious decline.

Find out more: Does the great civilization of the Inca Empire still exist today?

A newly found temple and its secrets

The team identified the site, an unregistered quadrangular layout, via satellite images and drone flights. “Because the features are very low, we have mixed various satellite images,” said Capriles. “By means of photogrammetry, a technique that uses photos to build a 3D approximation, we have obtained a more detailed rendering.”

What emerged was the outline of a ceremonial complex now known as Palaspata, a temple on the size of a city block. It includes 15 speakers organized around a central courtyard, probably designed for solar aligned rituals.

The researchers found ceramic fragments of Keru cups used to drink shisha, a beer of corn consumed during agricultural holidays. Since corn does not develop on the high altitude site, the presence of cups points to long distance trade, probably with the Cochabamba valleys.

According to the study, the temple represents a gateway knot, which has effectively materialized the power and influence of the state of Tiwanaku.

A strategic location

The temple is around 130 miles south of the main site of Tiwanaku, at the top of a hill that has long known to local farmers but neglected by researchers. Its location has proven to be significant: it was seated at the junction of three key ecological zones – Lake Titicaca Highlands, the Llama -Herding Altiplano and the fertile valleys of Cochabamba.

Capriles explained that people of the time built temples in the arid mountains landscape in such strategic places to connect communities and resources.

He believes that the temple has played religious and economic roles. “Most economic and political transactions had to be publicized by the divinity, because it would be a common language which would facilitate that various individuals in cooperation.”

Even local leaders were caught off guard by the discovery. “The archaeological results of Palaspata are important because they highlight a crucial aspect of our local heritage which had been completely neglected,” said Justo Ventura Guarayo, mayor of the municipality of Caracollo in the press release.

“This discovery is vital for our community, and we think that its documentation will be invaluable to promote tourism and present the rich history of our region.”

The City is currently working with experts and government agencies to ensure the appropriate protection and preservation of the site.

Find out more: How the Inca road system linked an empire

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Having worked as a biomedical research assistant in laboratories in three countries, Jenny excels in translating complex scientific concepts – ranging from medical breakthroughs and pharmacological discoveries to the last nutritions – in accessible and engaging content. His interests extend to subjects such as human evolution, psychology and stories of eccentric animals. When it is not immersed in a popular scientific book, you will find it to catch waves or sail on the island of Vancouver on its longboard.