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Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
1,400-year-old temple ruins the size of a city block unearthed in Bolivia
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Archaeologists in Bolivia have discovered the ruins of a temple that was built by a little-known civilization up to 1,400 years ago. The temple, called Palaspata after the native name for the area, comes from the Tiwanaku civilization, a predecessor of the Inca Empire. Tiwanaku society disappeared around 1,000 years ago and little is known about the civilization, but these temple ruins shed light on how it may have functioned in its prime. Analysis of the discovery was published June 24 in the journal Antiquity. "It's kind of shocking how little we know" about the Tiwanaku, Steven Wernke, an archaeologist and historical anthropologist of the Andean region of South America at Vanderbilt University who was not involved in the study, told Live Science. "This finding is quite significant." The Tiwanaku civilization, based just south of Lake Titicaca in the Andes mountains, was extremely powerful at its peak. "It boasted a highly organized societal structure, leaving behind remnants of architectural monuments like pyramids, terraced temples and monoliths," José Capriles, an anthropological archaeologist at Penn State and lead author of the study, said in a statement. The society collapsed around A.D. 1,000, leaving only ruins by the time the Incas entered the region about 400 years later. The Tiwanaku are logistically hard to study, even compared to similar civilizations in the region, like the Wari. Not only are resources for archaeological research limited in Bolivia, but many Tiwanaku sites are at very high altitudes and in remote areas of the Andes. "It's objectively difficult to document some of these sites," Wernke said. Related: 31 ancient temples from around the world, from Göbekli Tepe to the Parthenon Despite these obstacles, scientists have gleaned some limited information about the Tiwanaku, like the location of its capital and some offshoots of nearby settlements. But understanding the social, economic and political structures of the society has proved trickier. The biggest debate among experts is how the Tiwanaku state was organized, Wernke explained. Some models posit a ruling class of patrimonial Tiwanaku that oversaw provinces from the capital, while others present the society as a more equitable alliance of diverse peoples across the civilization. After noticing an unmapped plot of land, the researchers conducted uncrewed flights over the area to get better photos. They then used photogrammetry, a technique that combines many digital photos together to create a virtual 3D model, to construct a detailed rendering of the structure. Their analysis found that the stones' alignment revealed a terraced platform temple with four-sided rooms arranged around an inner courtyard, according to the statement. The ruins measure roughly 410 by 475 feet (125 by 145 meters) — about the size of a city block — and their structure seems designed for the performance of rituals around the solar equinox, Capriles said. Radiocarbon dating of charcoal samples from the site showed that it was most intensively occupied from about A.D. 630 to 950, the researchers found. The Palaspata temple complex, roughly 130 miles (210 kilometers) south of the previously established Tiwanaku archaeological site, was located strategically. It was built in a spot that linked three diverse trade routes — joining highlands to the north, an arid plateau to the west, and valleys to the east — so researchers believe the temple was, in part, meant to connect people from across the society, according to the statement. Fragments of keru cups, used for drinking a traditional maize beer called "chicha" during celebrations, were found within the ruins. These cups suggest the temple may have been a central hub for trade, Capriles said, because the drink requires ingredients from the relatively distant Cochabamba valleys in central Bolivia. "This site makes us rethink long-distance connections from Tiwanaku to Cochabamba and further south," Erik Marsh, an anthropologist at the National University of Cuyo in Argentina who was not involved in the study, told Live Science in an email. RELATED STORIES —Gold and silver treasures discovered with 'elite craftspeople' burials near powerful Wari queen's tomb —73 pre-Incan mummies, some with 'false heads,' unearthed from Wari Empire in Peru —2,400-year-old puppets with 'dramatic facial expression' discovered atop pyramid in El Salvador The temple also likely had religious significance, Capriles explained. "Most economic and political transactions had to be mediated through divinity, because that would be a common language that would facilitate various individuals cooperating." Palaspata supports the model of a coordinated, centralized Tiwanaku societal structure because of its strategic location, Wernke said. "It presents an enticing and exciting new piece of the puzzle about Tiwanaku and early imperialism in the Andes," he said. "It's also certainly not the last piece we'll hear about."
The Irish Sun
29-06-2025
- Science
- The Irish Sun
Huge stone temple built 1,000 years ago uncovered in mountains – and reveals secrets of ancient civilisation
A MASSIVE stone temple built 1,000 years ago has been uncovered, revealing the secrets of an ancient civilisation. The historic structure, known as Palaspata, was discovered in a remote part of South America and is thought to have been built by the Tiwanaku civilisation. Advertisement 3 A huge stone temple built 1,000 years ago has revealed the secrets of the Tiwanaku civilisation Credit: Cambridge University Press 3 The enormous area where the temple once sat Credit: Cambridge University Press 3 The ancient civilisation lived around Lake Titicaca in western Bolivia Credit: Cambridge University Press Sitting on top of a ridge near Lake Titicaca, in western Bolivia, the temple is an impressive feat of craftsmanship. But due to its remote location, researchers only spotted the area when they spotted unusual shapes in satellite photos. Drone 3D imaging confirmed the ancient site with researchers believing it provides key insight into the Tiwanaku civilisation. The ancient society was a powerful Andean civilisation that existed around 400 to 1000 CE. Advertisement Read more on World Researchers say Tiwanaku individuals formed part of a "highly organised societal structure", which left behind remnants of impressive monuments including pyramids, temples and monoliths. Most of these are located in sites around Lake Titicaca. Though little remains of it now, researchers believe the temple once housed an advanced irrigation system, and fine art and pottery before disappearing around 1000 AD. The site measures around 410 feet long by 476 wide and features 15 rooms which encircle a central courtyard. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Archaeologists suggest over 20,000 people may have inhabited the area, believing it to have been a "strategic hub" or "entry point" for trade. It is believed the temple enabled access to a number of goods and foods. Bible archaeologists discover ancient relic that may 'prove the existence of legendary warrior from holy book' Lead researcher José Capriles told the "This was a place where people, goods, and gods all crossed paths." Advertisement The discovery comes just weeks after an ancient Mayan city was discovered by archaeologists in northern Guatemala. The nearly 3,000-year-old remains include remarkable pyramids and monuments that appear to be "sculpted with unique iconography". This Los Abuelos gets its name from two human-like sculptures of an "ancestral couple" found there. Advertisement These figures "could be linked to ancient ritual practices of ancestor worship", the ministry added. The city is likely to have been "one of the most ancient and important ceremonial centres" of Mayan civilisation. Monuments unearthed at the site have been dated to the Middle Preclassic period of 800-500 BC, while the city itself "presents remarkable architectural planning". The city covers an area of around six square miles and is found in Guatemala's northern Petén department. Advertisement Researchers also found a 108 foot high pyramid nearby that had Preclassic murals and "a unique canal system". "Archaeological investigations have included the active participation of Guatemalan and international professionals, with the support of the Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia," a ministry spokesperson said.
Scottish Sun
29-06-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Huge stone temple built 1,000 years ago uncovered in mountains – and reveals secrets of ancient civilisation
This is the first time the site has ever been explored due to its remote location LOST TEMPLE Huge stone temple built 1,000 years ago uncovered in mountains – and reveals secrets of ancient civilisation Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MASSIVE stone temple built 1,000 years ago has been uncovered, revealing the secrets of an ancient civilisation. The historic structure, known as Palaspata, was discovered in a remote part of South America and is thought to have been built by the Tiwanaku civilisation. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 A huge stone temple built 1,000 years ago has revealed the secrets of the Tiwanaku civilisation Credit: Cambridge University Press 3 The enormous area where the temple once sat Credit: Cambridge University Press 3 The ancient civilisation lived around Lake Titicaca in western Bolivia Credit: Cambridge University Press Sitting on top of a ridge near Lake Titicaca, in western Bolivia, the temple is an impressive feat of craftsmanship. But due to its remote location, researchers only spotted the area when they spotted unusual shapes in satellite photos. Drone 3D imaging confirmed the ancient site with researchers believing it provides key insight into the Tiwanaku civilisation. The ancient society was a powerful Andean civilisation that existed around 400 to 1000 CE. Researchers say Tiwanaku individuals formed part of a "highly organised societal structure", which left behind remnants of impressive monuments including pyramids, temples and monoliths. Most of these are located in sites around Lake Titicaca. Though little remains of it now, researchers believe the temple once housed an advanced irrigation system, and fine art and pottery before disappearing around 1000 AD. The site measures around 410 feet long by 476 wide and features 15 rooms which encircle a central courtyard. Archaeologists suggest over 20,000 people may have inhabited the area, believing it to have been a "strategic hub" or "entry point" for trade. It is believed the temple enabled access to a number of goods and foods. Bible archaeologists discover ancient relic that may 'prove the existence of legendary warrior from holy book' Lead researcher José Capriles told the Mail Online: "This was not just a temple, it was a strategic hub, an entry point between the highlands and lowland trade routes. "This was a place where people, goods, and gods all crossed paths." The discovery comes just weeks after an ancient Mayan city was discovered by archaeologists in northern Guatemala. The nearly 3,000-year-old remains include remarkable pyramids and monuments that appear to be "sculpted with unique iconography". This ancient city, named Los Abuelos - the Spanish for "The Grandparents" - once stood around 21km from the significant archaeological site of Uaxactún, Guatemala's culture ministry said on Thursday. Los Abuelos gets its name from two human-like sculptures of an "ancestral couple" found there. These figures "could be linked to ancient ritual practices of ancestor worship", the ministry added. The city is likely to have been "one of the most ancient and important ceremonial centres" of Mayan civilisation. Monuments unearthed at the site have been dated to the Middle Preclassic period of 800-500 BC, while the city itself "presents remarkable architectural planning". The city covers an area of around six square miles and is found in Guatemala's northern Petén department. Researchers also found a 108 foot high pyramid nearby that had Preclassic murals and "a unique canal system". "Archaeological investigations have included the active participation of Guatemalan and international professionals, with the support of the Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia," a ministry spokesperson said.
The Independent
25-06-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Ancient temple ruins discovered in Andes pull back curtain on lost society after 1,000 years
Archaeologists have discovered the ruins of an ancient South American temple they say has helped pull back the curtain on the workings of its enigmatic Andean civilization. Known as the Tiwanaku, the society lived in modern-day Bolivia near the southern shores of Lake Titicaca – the highest navigable lake in the world – before their mysterious disappearance more than 1,000 years ago. People had first started to live in the region around 10,000 years ago, according to University of California at Berkeley archaeologist Dr. Nicola Sharratt. As many as 20,000 people came to reside in the area. Skilled stoneworkers, the Tiwanaku were widely considered to be a precursor of the Inca empire and one of the earliest examples of civilization in the Andes mountains. 'Their society collapsed sometime around 1,000 CE and was a ruin by the time the Incas conquered the Andes in the 15th century,' José Capriles, an associate professor of anthropology at Penn State University, said in a statement. 'At its peak, it boasted a highly organized societal structure, leaving behind remnants of architectural monuments like pyramids, terraced temples and monoliths, most of which are distributed in sites around Lake Titicaca and, while we know Tiwanaku's control and influence extended much further, scholars debate how much actual control over distant places it had.' Capriles was the lead author of the international study detailing the findings published this week in the journal Antiquity. The temple is called 'Palaspata,' which was the native name for the area. Palaspata is located on a hill, approximately 130 miles to the south of the Tiwanaku's established historical site. The area was previously known to indigenous farmers, but had never been explored in depth by researchers. After noticing a strange plot of land with four sides, they turned to technology to learn more. They snapped and compiled satellite images of the site, and also took pictures using cameras aboard unmanned aerial vehicle flights. Then, they used the photos to construct a three-dimensional approximation of the Palaspata and its surrounding landscape. About the size of a city block, the complex includes 15 quadrangular enclosures arranged around a rectangular inner courtyard. Its composition, the authors said, suggested that it was used to perform rituals following the solar equinox: a bi-annual moment when the sun is positioned directly above the equator. But, it likely was not solely used for religious purposes. Much about the Tiwanaku civilization remains unknown, but Palaspata would have been in an advantageous trade spot, according to Capriles. Many people traded and built monuments throughout the mountains. This temple connected three main trade routes, including the highlands, a high-altitude plateau, and the Andean valleys of Cochabamba. 'Most economic and political transactions had to be mediated through divinity, because that would be a common language that would facilitate various individuals cooperating,' he explained. On the surface of the ruins of Palaspata, the scientists found fragments of 'keru' cups, which were used for drinking a traditional maize beer called 'chicha' during agricultural feasts and celebrations. The maize was cultivated in the Cochabamba valleys. The researchers had worked with the Bolivian Ministry of Cultures, Decolonization, and Depatriarchalization to export samples of the ruins, which were dated at the Penn State's Institute of Energy and the Environment Radiocarbon Dating Lab. The city is now working with state and national authorities to help properly protect and preserve the site. 'With more insight into the past of this ancient site, we get a window into how people managed cooperation, and how we can materially see evidence of political and economic control,' Capriles said. 'There's still so much to discover that we don't know about, and that could be hiding in plain sight. It just requires opening your eyes to see what's out there.'
Newsweek
25-06-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
Temple of Civilization That Mysteriously Vanished 1,000 Years Ago Revealed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A newly uncovered ancient temple in the Bolivian Andes is offering archaeologists rare new insights into the Tiwanaku civilization, a once-powerful society that existed over a thousand years ago and was a precursor to the Inca empire before it mysteriously disappeared. The temple—dubbed Palaspata, after the native name for the area—is located on a hilltop in the municipality of Caracollo, near Tiwanaku's historical UNESCO site by Lake Titicaca. The spot was known to local indigenous farmers, but was never explored in depth by researchers because of its unassuming location. However, the position of the site was actually very strategic, anthropology professor José Capriles of the Pennsylvania State University said in a statement. "Their society collapsed sometime around 1000 CE and was a ruin by the time the Incas conquered the Andes in the 15th century", he said. The anthropologist explained that, at its peak, the Tiwanaku civilization boasted a highly organized societal structure and it had left behind remnants of monuments like pyramids and temples. Capriles added: "While we know Tiwanaku's control and influence extended much further, scholars debate how much actual control over distant places it had." The above image shows a digital reconstruction of the newly discovered Tiwanaku temple ruins in the Bolivian Andes. The above image shows a digital reconstruction of the newly discovered Tiwanaku temple ruins in the Bolivian Andes. José Capriles / Penn State During the time of the Tiwanaku civilization, the spot in which the newly discovered ruins were found connected three main trade routes. These included the highlands around Lake Titicaca to the north, the llama-herding plains of the Altiplano to the west and the agriculturally rich valleys of Cochabamba to the east. After noticing an unmapped plot of land in the area, researchers from Penn State University and Bolivian institutions used satellite images and 3D reconstruction techniques to create a detailed rendering of the structure and its topography. They found that Palaspata was approximately the size of a city block, and its layout was aligned to perform rituals following the solar equinox. "Most economic and political transactions had to be mediated through divinity, because that would be a common language that would facilitate various individuals cooperating," Capriles said in the study. According to the mayor of the municipality of Caracollo, Ventura Guarayo, these archaeological findings are significant because they highlight a crucial aspect of the local heritage that had been completely overlooked. "This discovery is vital for our community, and we believe its documentation will be invaluable for promoting tourism and showcasing our region's rich history" he said in a statement, adding that the city is working with state and national authorities to ensure proper protection and preservation of the site. "With more insight into the past of this ancient site, we get a window into how people managed cooperation, and how we can materially see evidence of political and economic control," Capriles added. "There's still so much to discover that we don't know about, and that could be hiding in plain sight. It just requires opening your eyes to see what's out there." While the reason behind the collapse of the Tiwanaku civilization still remains a mystery, archaeologist Luis Miguel Callisaya told the BBC that the most widespread hypothesis is an environmental crisis that led to a prolonged drought. To back this theory, scientists even found the bones of 19 women thought to have been sacrificed to the gods in exchange for rain. However, very little is still known about this ancient civilization, in fact, less than 10 percent of their ruins have to this day been excavated. Do you have a science story to share with Newsweek? Do you have a question about the Tiwanaku civilization? Let us know via science@ Reference Capriles, J. M., Maldonado, S. C., Calero, J. P., & Delaere, C. (2025). Gateway to the east: The Palaspata temple and the south-eastern expansion of the Tiwanaku state. Antiquity, 99(405), 831–849.
