Tiwanaku Akapana East Terrace
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇧🇴 La Paz, Tiwanaku, Bolivia
About
About Tiwanaku Akapana East Terrace
Tiwanaku Akapana East Terrace in La Paz, Tiwanaku, 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 -16.5550N -68.6730E 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, Tiwanaku, 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
- 1963 survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Tiwanaku Akapana East Terrace main structure
c. 1943
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
2003–2018
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Tiwanaku Akapana East Terrace) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
16.5550° S · 68.6730° W · 381 m · 3 mapped features
Tiwanaku Akapana East Terrace — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
16.5542° S · 68.6721° WTiwanaku Akapana East Terrace — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
16.5560° S · 68.6737° WTiwanaku Akapana East Terrace — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
16.5535° S · 68.6718° W