Tiahuanaco Stonework by Everett Sinclair

Tiahuanaco Stonework explores the remarkable feats of engineering achieved by the pre-Columbian civilization of Tiahuanaco, near Lake Titicaca in Bolivia. This book investigates how, without iron tools or the wheel, they constructed massive monumental structures using precisely cut stones. It delves into the ancient engineering and stone-cutting techniques that enabled them to shape, transport, and assemble andesite blocks weighing several tons. The study highlights the ingenuity required to build complexes like Kalasasaya, Akapana, and Puma Punku, revealing their profound understanding of stone properties. The book argues that Tiahuanaco stonemasons possessed advanced knowledge, combining hammering, abrasion, and possibly water-based methods. It examines archaeological evidence, including tool marks, geological studies, and ethnohistorical accounts, to provide a holistic understanding of their construction processes. Each chapter builds upon the previous, starting with historical context, then moving to specific architectural features, and finally discussing the tools, transportation methods, and techniques. This book is unique in its detailed, evidence-based analysis, making it valuable for anyone interested in archaeology, ancient Andean technology, or the history of the Andes.