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Pumapunku is a temple complex located in Tiwanaku, Bolivia. In Quechua, the name Puma Punku means, "The Door of the Cougar." It is situated near the south eastern shore of Lake Titicaca, and sits on a plateau of the Andes about 12,600 feet high. The temple stood at least 56 feet tall and took up an area of 164 feet square. Engineering Some of the blocks brought up to build the temples are said to weigh about 100-130 tons.[3] [4] The processes and technologies of the creation of these temples are unknown. Archaeologists believe that the answer may lie in the labor force of ancient Tiahuanaco. Perhaps, several hundred laborers made a harsh trip carrying a 130 ton stone block from a quarry to the plateau. Early engineers needed a strong labor force to complete their tasks successfully. Researchers say that the invention of the wheel may have been unknown to them. Thus, the process of moving stone blocks was performed by pulling the blocks with ropes made of llama skin. The early engineers also found a way of getting the blocks to the plateau with the use of inclined planes, or ramps[citation needed]. Modern day engineers believe that the base of the Pumapunku temple was constructed using a technique called layering and depositing. Alexi Vranich, who is a field archaeologist, explains how the temple was supported: “ "…the layers Creation of a sturdy base using the layering and depositing technique. The interlocking of the stone blocks, or known as the building block technique. Recreated drawing of the interlocking stone blocks. The method of depositing or the laying down of the sand created a sturdy base for the temple. The rest of the temple was built with interlocking blocks in which large stones were connected by fitting on top of one another. Within the blocks, researchers have found equally distant holes that seemed to have been created through drilling. The holes were about six millimeters deep. These holes could have been made with the use of a hammer and chisel. The holes were used to lock the blocks together. This engineering technique is called interlocking. This technique is achieved by cutting the top of the lower stone at a certain angle, and placing a stone on top of the lower one, which is cut at the same angle. Materials used to build the pyramid: Huge work force [1]citation needed) Llama skin used for ropes and bags for pulling and carrying stone blocks. [2]citation needed) Notes ^ Browman, | ||||
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