Tiwanaku is a ceremonial site used by a precursor of the the Inca empire. It dates back to 600BC. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiwanaku for a full description. The site is at 12,700 ft (3870 meters) above sea level. The railway station is no longer in use.
The site is being reconstructed after looting and destruction by subsequent "civilizations" from the Incas through the Spanish and recent amateur archeologists. One could question the use of the term "civilized" for some of the colonialists! It is belived that a major drought caused the initial downfall of the Tiwanaku culture.
The seven level pyramid is being excavated. Human sacrificial remains have been found, thought to date from the last desperate days of the culture as the drought destroyed them
The holes indicate how the cut stones blocks should be fitted together
Stone cutting was remarkably accurate. No mortar was used, and the joints are razor thin.
The structures are aligned to locate astronomical events.
The site's museum is under construction. We were asked not to photograph this...
... by this guard.
The remaining artifacts survived the looting because they were buried under the sand.
The columns bore intricate inscriptions, as shown in this reproduction. As far as is known, the culture did not have a written language.
While looking at the thumbnail on my screen. I noticed this face emerging from the last image!
We left Tiwanaku and glimpsed Lake Titicaca - a name that has been in my memory since childhood - a legendary spot, ranking in my mind along with Timbuctoo in exotic remoteness
We left Tiwanaku and from the bus caught our first sight of Lake Titicaca - a name that has been in my memory since childhood - a legendary spot, ranking in my mind along with Timbuctoo in exotic remoteness
The Peruvian border is reached after winding through the narrow streets of a small town.
At the Peruvian border crossing
We had to leave the bus at the border, and go through both Bolivian and Peruvian immigration controls. Peruvian customs control was about 15 miles over the border!
We stopped at a small villlage - and bought several of this artist's watercolor landscapes
What is done to get the right angle
Fish farm in Lake Titicaca
This group was recording a music video at the side of the lake.
The locals turned out to watch. These bowler hats did not give much protection from the sun.
An ancient form of irrigation that is being revived - mounds of earth are heaped between channels that are flooded with water. This technique produces high yields in the area.
We saw Australian eucalyptus trees everywhwe we went on the high plains. This exaotic import thrives there.
All livestock were tethered individually - an indication of their value.
On arrival at out hotel near Puno we went for a walk and were struck by the number of dogs roaming the streets.
