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Tiahuanaco

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description Tiahuanaco Overview

Tiahuanaco is a prominent pre-Columbian archaeological site situated near Lake Titicaca in western Bolivia. Functioning as the administrative and spiritual capital of a major Andean civilization between approximately 500 and 900 CE, the site is noted for its monumental stone architecture. Key surviving structures include massive ashlar masonry walls, intricately carved monoliths, and the prominent Gate of the Sun.

help Tiahuanaco FAQ

Where is Tiahuanaco, and how high above sea level is it?

Tiahuanaco, also called Tiwanaku, lies near the southern shore of Lake Titicaca in Bolivia's Altiplano. UNESCO places the site at about 3,850 meters above sea level. [UNESCO World Heritage Centre](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/567)

When was Tiwanaku at its peak?

UNESCO dates the culture's period of greatest power and influence to approximately 500-900 CE. During that period, Tiwanaku functioned as a major political and spiritual center in the southern Andes. [UNESCO World Heritage Centre](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/567)

What is the Gate of the Sun at Tiahuanaco?

The Gate of the Sun is a monumental carved monolith at the Tiwanaku site. It is one of the best-known surviving examples of Tiwanaku stone art. [UNESCO World Heritage Centre](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/567)

Was Tiahuanaco an Inca site?

No. Tiwanaku was the capital of an earlier pre-Inca Andean civilization that reached its height between 500 and 900 CE. Its political and religious influence extended across a large area around Lake Titicaca. [UNESCO World Heritage Centre](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/567)

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