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How were blocks of up to 130 tonnes moved to the site?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·Part of How were the Puma Punku andesite blocks cut so precisely, and could the Tiwanaku have done it?·2 answers·0·0 following
Most likely: sandstone was dragged on sledges and ramps from Kimsachata, 10 km; andesite crossed the lake on reed boats…Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

Where it stands

Two answers have been proposed. Sandstone was dragged on sledges and ramps from Kimsachata, 10 km; andesite crossed the lake on reed boats… leads, with evidence 2 for: partly supported by its tests. One is still possible.

Why it matters

The sandstone slabs are among the heaviest stones moved in the pre-Columbian Americas, at 3,850 m altitude without draught animals larger than llamas⁠[1].

Answers 2

Evidence: 2 for
Most likely
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible

History

  1. Janusek et al. puts forward: sandstone was dragged on sledges and ramps from Kimsachata, 10 km; andesite crossed the lake on reed boats…
  2. Janusek et al.: quarry roads and abandoned blocks are recorded at Kimsachata; andesite is sourced to Ccapia and Copacabana…For: Sandstone was dragged on sledges and ramps from Kimsachata, 10 km; andesite crossed the lake on reed boats…
  3. Protzen & Nair: the largest andesite pieces are much smaller than the largest sandstone slabs, consistent with water…For: Sandstone was dragged on sledges and ramps from Kimsachata, 10 km; andesite crossed the lake on reed boats…
  4. Asked on this site
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