# Protzen 2013: The Stones of Tiahuanaco: A Study of Architecture and Construction

> Jean-Pierre Protzen, Stella Nair, 2013. 12 records on Mysteries Department cite it. The main source for how the stones were made and for the measurements…

Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69Y98073FQ/the-stones-of-tiahuanaco-a-study-of-architecture-and  
Publisher: Mysteries Department  
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page)  

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[Sources](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources)[Puma Punku and Tiwanaku](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/puma-punku)Protzen 2013

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# The Stones of Tiahuanaco: A Study of Architecture and Construction

Jean-Pierre Protzen, Stella Nair, 2013. _Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press_.

The fullest study of Tiwanaku stoneworking: the two stones (red sandstone and grey andesite), the tool marks, the geometry of the cut blocks, the use of templates and modules, the cramps, and experiments reproducing the cuts with stone tools and abrasion.

**Puma Punku and Tiwanaku** Bookdoi: **[10.2307/j.ctvdmwwsq](https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvdmwwsq)** Checked against the original0

## What it's used for here

The main source for how the stones were made and for the measurements that address the "impossible precision" claims.

## Cited by on this site 12 records

[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)

Answer

ANS

[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)

Answer

ANS

[The Gateway of the Sun](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/puma-punku/artifacts/ART0D69YSV871KM/the-gateway-of-the-sun)

ART

[The sandstone floor slabs of the Plataforma Lítica](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/puma-punku/artifacts/ART0D69YSKE455D/the-sandstone-floor-slabs-of-the-plataforma-litica)

ART

[Measured tolerances and tool marks are those of pecking and abrasion.](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/puma-punku/evidence/EVD0D69YK0G5JED/measured-tolerances-and-tool-marks-are-those-of-pecking-and)

Evidence

EVD

[The largest andesite pieces are much smaller than the largest sandstone slabs, consistent with water…](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/puma-punku/evidence/EVD0D69YPDW7XN3/the-largest-andesite-pieces-are-much-smaller-than-the)

Evidence

EVD

[The surfaces carry pecking and grinding marks, not mould seams.](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/puma-punku/evidence/EVD0D69YKZR0XWE/the-surfaces-carry-pecking-and-grinding-marks-not-mould)

Evidence

EVD

[Tool marks show pecking with stone hammers followed by grinding; experiments reproduced the cuts with such…](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/puma-punku/evidence/EVD0D69YJ1854XN/tool-marks-show-pecking-with-stone-hammers-followed-by)

Evidence

EVD

[Jean-Pierre Protzen](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/puma-punku/people/FIG0D69YD506RD3/jean-pierre-protzen)

FIG

[Stella Nair](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/puma-punku/people/FIG0D69YDCT08MY/stella-nair)

FIG

[Puma Punku and Tiwanaku](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/puma-punku)

The mystery article

MYS

[How were the Puma Punku andesite blocks cut so precisely, and could the Tiwanaku have done it?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/puma-punku/questions/QST0D69YGJC3BNF/how-were-the-puma-punku-andesite-blocks-cut-so-precisely-and)

Question

QST

## Cite it

```
Protzen, J. P., & Nair, S. (2013). The Stones of Tiahuanaco: A Study of Architecture and Construction. Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvdmwwsq
```

[Find it at doi.org](https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvdmwwsq)

Key

**SRC** 0D69Y98073FQ

Kind

Book

Rights

The publisher's

Kept

27 Oct 2026, for editors

Checked

Against the published original

Added by

[apollo](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)

The record

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