Tiwanaku Puma Punku Platform H
Tiwanaku Puma Punku Platform H North Annex · Tiwanaku Site
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇧🇴 La Paz, Puma Punku, Bolivia
About
About Tiwanaku Puma Punku Platform H
Tiwanaku Puma Punku Platform H in La Paz, Puma Punku, Bolivia is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at -16.5610N -68.6790E controls access to La Paz resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for La Paz, Puma Punku, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1964 survey
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Tiwanaku Puma Punku Platform H main structure
c. 1944
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
2004–2019
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Tiwanaku Puma Punku Platform H) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
16.5610° S · 68.6790° W · 388 m · 4 mapped features
Tiwanaku Puma Punku Platform H — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
16.5602° S · 68.6781° WTiwanaku Puma Punku Platform H — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
16.5620° S · 68.6797° WTiwanaku Puma Punku Platform H — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
16.5595° S · 68.6778° WTiwanaku Puma Punku Platform H — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
16.5626° S · 68.6801° W