Ancient Destinations Bolivia
Some of South America's most breathtaking landscape vistas can be seen in Bolivia. It rivals any other country in South America with its natural beauty and enigmatic past. From the world's highest commerically navigable lake to the mysterious ruins of Tiahuanaco, Bolivia offers travellers a real adventure into the unexplored.
Photo: Mhwater Located about 44 miles west of modern day La Paz lay the ruins of Tiahuanaco or Tiwanaku. Archaeologists date the site between 600-1000 AD. It offers travellers the opportunity to see various enigmatic structures and statues. The main structures at the site include the Kalasasaya, the Akapana Pyramid and the Semi Subterranean Temple. The Kalasasaya is the most important structure here to see. It includes a rectangular enclosure with walls made from red sandstone megaliths (large stones). Within these walls there is a free standing monolith called the Gateway of the Sun. This incredible structure is 12 and a half feet wide, 10 feet high, 10 inches thick and weighs about 10 tons. The Gateway of the Sun has a carved figure of the god Viracocha in the middle of it. Some people suggest that the carving depicts a map to a possible subterranean chamber. Orthodox archaeologists have dated the site to about 1,500 years but many disagree. Alternative historians think the site is much older. This is due to the stylized animal figures that are carved on the Gateway of the Sun. It depicts animals that became extinct 12,000 years ago! Could people have inhabited Tiahuanaco that far back in time? The true antiquity and purpose of Tiahuanaco continues to be one of the great mysteries of South America. (More Photos)
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WorldIslandInfo.com Situated at an astounding 12,507 feet (3,812m) above sea level and located high in the Andes bordering both Peru and Bolivia is Lake Titicaca. It is known for being the world's highest commercially navigable lake. Today, the lake serves as the lifeline for many local Indians ranging from the Uros to the Ayamara Indians. (More Photos) Lake Titicaca is steeped in legend. Ancient myths speak of Lake Titicaca being the birth place of civilization and the location where the first appearance of the deity Viracocha (great teacher of knowledge) emerged. The lake has long been considered a sacred place among the indigenous Andean people who still believe that powerful spirits dwell at the lake's bottom.
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