Akapana Pyramid (Tiwanaku)
Akapana · Tiwanaku Pyramid · Tiwanaku Akapana step pyramid
Tiwanaku Middle Horizon 400–1000 CE (Akapana c.500–800 CE)·Tiwanaku·🇧🇴 La Paz Department, Tiwanaku Municipality, Altiplano, Bolivia
About
About Akapana Pyramid (Tiwanaku)
Artificial mountain pyramid at core of Tiwanaku (400–1000 CE) altiplano capital: 18 m high (originally ~18 m, 18? Actually 18 m now, planned 40?) 257 × 197 m cross-shaped base built of andesite masonry facing enclosing engineered clay and gravel core with internal stone drainage channel network that howled in wind for acoustics. T-shaped stair on west, summit depression interpreted as truncated platform or interior sunken court with cruciform shaft linking to Akapana East. Ripped by Spanish and rail looting 1909, now consolidated. Part of 400 ha city with Puma Punku 500 m.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Acoustic drainage howling function
Theories
- 01Internal canals designed to produce roaring sound as mountain's voice; cruciform shaft as symbolic water origin
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.500–700 CE main terracing (Poseidon?).
- Period
- Tiwanaku Middle Horizon 400–1000 CE (Akapana c.500–800 CE)
- Culture
- Tiwanaku
- Purpose
- Artificial mountain cosmogram with summit temple and acoustic drainage mirroring Andes snowmelt
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.500–700 CE main terracing (Poseidon?).
Initial construction
c. 1578 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
16.5563° S · 68.6728° W · 3845 m · 3 mapped features
Akapana 7-step pyramid massif 257×197m
pyramidCross-shaped stepped pyramid massif with canal network inside
16.5563° S · 68.6728° WWest T-stair and summit sunken court
staircaseT stair and central shaft 10 × 10 m
16.5561° S · 68.6732° WInternal drainage channel outlets east
drainStone channels with acoustic function
16.5564° S · 68.6725° W
Gallery