# How were the Puma Punku andesite blocks cut so precisely, and could the Tiwanaku have done it? · Puma Punku and Tiwanaku > Four answers have been proposed. Tiwanaku masons cut the blocks with stone hammers and abrasives to standard modules using templates, over… leads, with… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/puma-punku/questions/QST0D69YGJC3BNF/how-were-the-puma-punku-andesite-blocks-cut-so-precisely-and Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:58:32+00:00 --- **0** # How were the Puma Punku andesite blocks cut so precisely, and could the Tiwanaku have done it? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·4 answers·0·0 following **Answered: Tiwanaku masons cut the blocks with stone hammers and abrasives to standard modules using templates, over…** Passed its tests and review. ## Where it stands Four answers have been proposed. Tiwanaku masons cut the blocks with stone hammers and abrasives to standard modules using templates, over… leads, with evidence 3 for: supported by its tests. Three are still possible. Of the one narrower question under it, none is answered yet. ## Why it matters The regular modules, flat faces and sharp interior angles are the reason the site draws claims of lost or alien technology; the measurements and tool marks are the test⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69Y98073FQ/the-stones-of-tiahuanaco-a-study-of-architecture-and). ## Answers 4 [**Tiwanaku masons cut the blocks with stone hammers and abrasives to standard modules using templates, over…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/puma-punku/answers/ANS0D69YHHM5DEK/tiwanaku-masons-cut-the-blocks-with-stone-hammers-and) Supported by its tests Evidence: 3 for Most likely [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/puma-punku/answers/ANS0D69YM7J2YBY/none-of-these) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: none yet Disputed [**The andesite and sandstone blocks were cast in moulds from crushed rock and an organic binder.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/puma-punku/answers/ANS0D69YK8A2KSK/the-andesite-and-sandstone-blocks-were-cast-in-moulds-from) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 for, 2 against Disputed [**The blocks were made with a technology beyond the Tiwanaku (lost civilisation or non-human), and are much…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/puma-punku/answers/ANS0D69YJGW0W8S/the-blocks-were-made-with-a-technology-beyond-the-tiwanaku) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 2 against Disputed ## History 1. 2000[Protzen & Nair: h-blocks, niche blocks and lintels were cut to standard modules from templates and any block of a type fits…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69Y906129A/on-reconstructing-tiwanaku-architecture)For: Tiwanaku masons cut the blocks with stone hammers and abrasives to standard modules using templates, over… 1. 2006[Vranich: the platform's lowest fill dates to the sixth century AD.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69Y8GJ3RVF/the-construction-and-reconstruction-of-ritual-space-at)Against: The blocks were made with a technology beyond the Tiwanaku (lost civilisation or non-human), and are much… 1. 2012[Janusek et al.: quarries at Ccapia and Kimsachata hold abandoned blocks at intermediate stages.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69Y9FT5X34/building-taypikala-telluric-transformations-in-the-lithic)For: Tiwanaku masons cut the blocks with stone hammers and abrasives to standard modules using templates, over… 1. 2012[Janusek et al.: the andesite matches the Ccapia volcano and the sandstone matches Kimsachata, where quarry faces and…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69Y9FT5X34/building-taypikala-telluric-transformations-in-the-lithic)Against: The andesite and sandstone blocks were cast in moulds from crushed rock and an organic binder. 1. 2013[Protzen & Nair puts forward: tiwanaku masons cut the blocks with stone hammers and abrasives to standard modules using templates, over…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69Y98073FQ/the-stones-of-tiahuanaco-a-study-of-architecture-and) 1. 2013[Protzen & Nair puts forward: the blocks were made with a technology beyond the Tiwanaku (lost civilisation or non-human), and are much…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69Y98073FQ/the-stones-of-tiahuanaco-a-study-of-architecture-and) 1. 2013[Protzen & Nair: tool marks show pecking with stone hammers followed by grinding; experiments reproduced the cuts with such…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69Y98073FQ/the-stones-of-tiahuanaco-a-study-of-architecture-and)For: Tiwanaku masons cut the blocks with stone hammers and abrasives to standard modules using templates, over… 1. 2013[Protzen & Nair: measured tolerances and tool marks are those of pecking and abrasion.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69Y98073FQ/the-stones-of-tiahuanaco-a-study-of-architecture-and)Against: The blocks were made with a technology beyond the Tiwanaku (lost civilisation or non-human), and are much… 1. 2013[Protzen & Nair: the surfaces carry pecking and grinding marks, not mould seams.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69Y98073FQ/the-stones-of-tiahuanaco-a-study-of-architecture-and)Against: The andesite and sandstone blocks were cast in moulds from crushed rock and an organic binder. 1. 2019[Davidovits et al. puts forward: the andesite and sandstone blocks were cast in moulds from crushed rock and an organic binder.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69YAPW0FZK/ancient-geopolymer-in-south-american-monument-sem-and) 1. 2019[Davidovits et al.: sEM images were read as showing an artificial matrix with organic matter.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69YAPW0FZK/ancient-geopolymer-in-south-american-monument-sem-and)For: The andesite and sandstone blocks were cast in moulds from crushed rock and an organic binder. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/puma-punku/questions/QST0D69YGJC3BNF/how-were-the-puma-punku-andesite-blocks-cut-so-precisely-and%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/puma-punku/questions/QST0D69YGJC3BNF/how-were-the-puma-punku-andesite-blocks-cut-so-precisely-and%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/puma-punku/questions/QST0D69YGJC3BNF/how-were-the-puma-punku-andesite-blocks-cut-so-precisely-and%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/puma-punku/questions/QST0D69YGJC3BNF/how-were-the-puma-punku-andesite-blocks-cut-so-precisely-and%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/puma-punku/questions/QST0D69YGJC3BNF/how-were-the-puma-punku-andesite-blocks-cut-so-precisely-and%23add-source) Where it fits Puma Punku and Tiwanaku **How were the Puma Punku andesite blocks cut so precisely, and could the Tiwanaku have done it?** Key question · you're here [How were blocks of up to 130 tonnes moved to the site?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/puma-punku/questions/QST0D69YH203BZW/how-were-blocks-of-up-to-130-tonnes-moved-to-the-site)Most likely · sandstone was dragged on sledges and ramps from Kimsachata, 10 km; andesite crossed the lake on reed boats… [ Ask a question under this one ]