Iskanwaya
Iskanwaya Mollo · Aucapata Iskanwaya
Late Intermediate Mollo 1145–1425 CE, pre-Inca before Inca annexation·Mollo (Andean Late Intermediate, west Cordillera Real)·🇧🇴 La Paz Department, Muñecas Province, Bolivia
About
About Iskanwaya
Mollo hilltop city on east slope Cordillera Real at 1672 m with 90 rectangular houses of pirca (rough stone) on 13 terraces, streets and plazas on slope, dry-stone walls 2 m high, first reported by Trimborn 1927. Claimed to surpass Machu Picchu in extent but less preserved due to pirca collapse. Mollo ceramics with sawfish motifs. Cactus-filled canyon setting.
Why it mattersLargest Mollo city demonstrating Late Intermediate hilltop urbanism on eastern Andes before Inca, rarely visited larger than Machu Picchu.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01How Mollo sustained citadel 250 m above canyon without permanent water
- 02Why rectangular houses vs Chachapoya/Inca round tradition
Theories
- 01Mollo frontier capital controlling Cordillera Real canyon trade
- 02Abandoned at Inca conquest when mitmaq moved population
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.1145–1425 CE (Mollo culture, Late Intermediate)
- Period
- Late Intermediate Mollo 1145–1425 CE, pre-Inca before Inca annexation
- Culture
- Mollo (Andean Late Intermediate, west Cordillera Real)
- Builders
- Mollo
- Purpose
- Hilltop citadel 0.6 ha with 90+ recangular houses on 13 terraces perched 250 m above Río Llica canyon, Mollo administrative-residential center surpassing Machu Picchu in extent
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.1145–1425 CE (Mollo culture, Late Intermediate)
Initial construction
1425 CE, pre-Inca before Inca annexation
Major occupation / refurbishment
On the ground
Structures & features
15.2580° S · 68.8340° W · 1672 m · 2 mapped features
Iskanwaya terrace 13 houses
houseUppermost terrace with 8 rectangular pirca houses 10×6 m
15.2570° S · 68.8330° WCanyon-edge defensive wall
wall2 m dry-stone wall perched 250 m above Río Llica
15.2590° S · 68.8350° W
Gallery