Puma Punku is a recent excavation taking place at Tiwanaku; located just outside the fenced area of the site, close to the museum. The pictures here show the outline of the structure, but only the top of Puma Punku has been uncovered. The rubble shown is the collapsed wall structures at the top of mound. Clearly the outlines of a building are emerging, though excavation is slow due to lack of funding. The purpose of this structure is speculatory, but it appears to be a twin platform mound coupled with Akapana. The orientation and architecture of both mounds suggest they were used in unison with each other for ceremonial purposes. The terraced mounds of Akapana and Puma Punka have their doorways facing the rising sun, indicative of sun worship predominant in Andean mythology. Both Puma Punka and Akapana possess twin staircases on their east and west faces. This east-west axial design is repeated throughout the Tiwanaku site.

previous page back to the Latin American archaeology home page next tour back to the Museum home page

What Is This Background???

CREDITS