Verified16.5616° S · 68.6789° W · 3845 m
Puma Punku
Pumapunku · Gateway of the Puma
Tiwanaku Period 536–600 CE (complex radiocarbon dated)·Tiwanaku·🇧🇴 La Paz Department, Bolivia
About
About Puma Punku
Terraced platform mound within Tiwanaku complex famous for precision-cut andesite and red sandstone blocks with drilled holes, flat planes and interlocking joints to 0.5 mm tolerance, scattered as if catastrophically destroyed.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Exceptional precision with stone tools – how achieved?
- 02Why site appears unfinished and violently scattered
Theories
- 01Elite craftsmanship using sandstone abraders and pounders (Protzen experiments)
- 02Earthquake at ~900 CE toppled structures; later dismissed geopolymer claim
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.536–600 CE (often cited 500–600 CE)
- Period
- Tiwanaku Period 536–600 CE (complex radiocarbon dated)
- Culture
- Tiwanaku
- Purpose
- Ceremonial platform / palace or temple still debated
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.536–600 CE (often cited 500–600 CE)
Initial construction
c. 1568 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
16.5616° S · 68.6789° W · 3845 m · 2 mapped features
- 16.5616° S · 68.6789° W
Puma Punku Platform (H-Blocks)
megalithic platform - 16.5618° S · 68.6787° W
Precision Andestite Blocks Field
megalith
Gallery