Thoughts on Tiahuanaco

Tiahuanaco is like the Bolivian equivalent of Machu Picchu. Its structures were not as extensive, but they were beautiful and grand. The site itself is located square in the middle of a large valley. There was no thought given to defensive posture, as it is open on all sides to attack. This should give an idea as to the security and confidence that the culture had in their own superiority. The Tiahuanacos ruled a massive area of South America for around 3,000 years before being folded into the Inca culture. Soon after, the Spanish completely decimated their power, but the influence on the ways and culture of the people in Bolivia is still very much felt today.

The Tihuanaco culture were master agriculturists. They had over 300 species of potatoes alone, and a vast distribution network that shared resources over all of Bolivia, southern Peru, and beyond. They had a strict system of caste specialization, and their lives were ruled by religious structures. The Tiahuanaco ruins were the religious center of the entire culture. The most significant and largest statues unearthed at ths site were the Pachamama, or mother earth statues. In one hand, Pachamama holds a staff of power, in the other a cup with serpents coming out. The eyes are huge, and the statues are covered with motifs representing serpents, pumas, and condors. There are also condor-men, which might represent spirits or enlightened figures or medicine men, I'm not certain.

Many of the religious symbolism that is commondly associated with the Incans actually began with the Tiahuanacos. The three animal avatars representing the underworld (serpent), realm of man (puma), and spirit world or heaven (condor) began here. The Incan cross, with three stepped sides on each diagonal was also around long before the Incans rose to power.

The imagery and style of the art is very similar to native art from all over the Americas, including North American natives. Much of the art could be mistaken for Incan, Mayan, or even Canadian native art, suggesting a widely shared language of artistic imagery, even though there was no shared spoken or written language.

Truly, this was a highlight of my trip, and a completely unexpected one. One more reason to travel without a set plan.