Ancient ruins found in Bolivia

[Judi Lynn]

Ancient ruins found in Bolivia
Some relics from little-known Andean culture 3,000 years old
David Mercado, Reuters
Published: Thursday, July 10, 2008

COPACABANA, Bolivia -- Archeologists have begun digging at an ancient ceremonial site in eastern Bolivia to piece together the rites and daily life of cultures dating as far back as 3,000 years ago.

Locals stumbled upon the remains while clearing the ground to build a new market in the picturesque town of Copacabana, a tourist hotspot on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Many of the unearthed tombs, textiles, clay pots and jewelry belonged to the well-documented Tiwanaku and Inca cultures that populated the area hundreds of years ago.

But some relics go back as far as 3,000 years, when a little-known religious tradition called Yayamama is thought to have flourished in the Andes.

More:
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=b9522ae5-c6db-4614-82e0-3b1a55d64777

[malta blue]

1. how exciting...

and yes, I am sophomoric in my love for the fact that this was in COPACABANA near the shores of Lake Titicaca. :blush:

[Judi Lynn]

2. Inca and Pre-Inca Ruins, Copacabana

Inca and Pre-Inca Ruins, Copacabana

The town of Copacabana, best known for its Catholic shrine and location on Lake Titicaca, is also home to a number of interesting pre-Columbian ruins.

From near the end of Calle Murillo, a signposted trail leads up the Niño Calvario (Little Calvary) hill on the southeast side of town. A visit here is rewarded by weird rock formations and the Horca del Inca (Inca Gallows), a trilithic gate perched on the hillside. Despite its popular name, it is actually a pre-Inca site. It is surrouned by pierced rocks that permit the sun's rays to pass through onto the lintel during the solstices. Admission US$1.35.

Down the road toward Kasani is Cerro Copacate, which has pre-Inca ruins and pictographs. The most famous of these is the Escudo de la Cultura Chiripa, a unique icon attributed to the Chiripa culture. Always open.

More:
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/bolivia/copacabana-inca-ruins.htm

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Tiahuanacan Ruins - Copacabana, Bolivia



....the Tiahuanaco culture from Western Bolivia arived over 1000
years before the Incan empire - these impressive ruins beating,
easily, the actual site of Tiahuanaco, and dating back over 2200 years

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