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Church with idols from Tiwanaku, Bolivia
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Church with idols from Tiwanaku, Bolivia
Church built ith stone and stele idols from Tiwanaku, Bolivia. Tiwanaku (sometimes Tiahuanaco or Tiahuanacu) is an important Pre-Columbian archaeological site in western Bolivia. Tiwanaku is recognized by Andean scholars as one of the most important precursors to the Inca Empire, flourishing as the ritual and administrative capital of a major state power for approximately five hundred years. Date: circa 1910
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Media ID 7246979
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Archaeological Bolivia Bolivian Columbian Figures Idols Monolith Stele Tiahuanaco Tiahuanacu Tiwanaku
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the unique fusion of ancient and colonial history at the Church of San Francisco de Tiahuanaco in Bolivia. Built in the early 19th century by Spanish colonizers, the church stands proudly amidst the ruins of Tiwanaku, an ancient Pre-Columbian archaeological site. The site, also known as Tiahuanaco or Tiwanaku, is recognized as one of the most significant precursors to the Inca Empire, thriving as the ritual and administrative capital of a major state power for approximately five hundred years. The stone stele idols from Tiwanaku, which can be seen surrounding the church, are some of the most intriguing remains of this ancient civilization. Dating back to around 1500 BCE, these monolithic figures, with their enigmatic expressions and intricate carvings, were once believed to have held spiritual and cosmic significance for the Tiwanaku people. The Spanish conquerors, who arrived in the region in the late 15th century, incorporated these ancient idols into the church's architecture as a testament to the power and dominance of the Spanish Empire. This juxtaposition of the sacred and the secular, the ancient and the modern, creates a striking and thought-provoking image that invites us to reflect on the complex history of this fascinating part of the world. The Church of San Francisco de Tiahuanaco, with its stone stele idols from Tiwanaku, stands as a powerful reminder of the rich cultural heritage of Bolivia and the enduring influence of its ancient past.
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