Jams, you commented while I was in process of writing an explanation.
This is one of the funerary towers in Sillustani, on the shores of Lake Titicaca near Puno and Juliaca in Peru.
Sillustani is a pre-Incan burial ground on the shores of Lake Titicaca near Puno. The tombs, which are built above ground in tower-like structures called chullpas, are the vestiges of the Colla people, Aymara who were conquered by the Inca in the 1400s. The structures housed the remains of complete family groups, although they were probably limited to nobility. Many of the tombs have been dynamited by grave robbers, while others were left unfinished.[1]
Ancestor worship and kinship were integral parts of Aymara culture, and the chullpas were built to emphasize the connection between life and death.[2] The insides of the tombs were shaped like a woman's uterus, and corpses were mummified in a fetal position to recreate their birth. Some of the tombs also have lizards carved into the stone. Because they could regrow their tails, lizards were considered a symbol of life. The only openings to the buildings face east, where it was believed the Sun was reborn by Mother Earth each day.[3]
The architecture of the site is often considered more complex than typical Incan architecture. In contrast with the Inca, who used stones of varying shapes, the Colla used even rectangular edges.[4] While chullpas are not unique to Sillustani and are found across the Altiplano, the site is considered the best and most preserved example of them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sillustani
These were definitely an unexpected highlight of our trip.
Loved the photo and thought it had a great mood, then see your follow up comment, and now my imagination is really working hard - great post! Happy WW, I played too.
So cool! No only a terrific pic, but a learning experience as well. My son was just learning about Lake Titicaca this year! (we homeschool) I will show him the pic and let him read your explanation! Thank you!!!
27 comments:
Nice photo Sherpa. Where was it taken?
You took the words right out of my mouth Jams, where/what is it?
Jams, you commented while I was in process of writing an explanation.
This is one of the funerary towers in Sillustani, on the shores of Lake Titicaca near Puno and Juliaca in Peru.
Sillustani is a pre-Incan burial ground on the shores of Lake Titicaca near Puno. The tombs, which are built above ground in tower-like structures called chullpas, are the vestiges of the Colla people, Aymara who were conquered by the Inca in the 1400s. The structures housed the remains of complete family groups, although they were probably limited to nobility. Many of the tombs have been dynamited by grave robbers, while others were left unfinished.[1]
Ancestor worship and kinship were integral parts of Aymara culture, and the chullpas were built to emphasize the connection between life and death.[2] The insides of the tombs were shaped like a woman's uterus, and corpses were mummified in a fetal position to recreate their birth. Some of the tombs also have lizards carved into the stone. Because they could regrow their tails, lizards were considered a symbol of life. The only openings to the buildings face east, where it was believed the Sun was reborn by Mother Earth each day.[3]
The architecture of the site is often considered more complex than typical Incan architecture. In contrast with the Inca, who used stones of varying shapes, the Colla used even rectangular edges.[4] While chullpas are not unique to Sillustani and are found across the Altiplano, the site is considered the best and most preserved example of them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sillustani
These were definitely an unexpected highlight of our trip.
Very interesting and beautiful photo.
Awesome! Thank you for the explanation ... :)
So very beautiful.
Beautiful! The background is perfect, as well.
Thanks for sharing!
Happy WW! See ya next week.....
I hadn't a clue what I was looking at until I read your explanation. What a great history lesson here. Wonderful post and explanation. Happy WW. :)
Great photo. Great history lesson.
I sure learn a lot of interesting facts on WW, every week. Great entry.
Beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!
Great photo and thanks for all the interesting information.
Angel Mama ( Pearls of Wisdom)
Cool pic! I'd love to tour central and south american someday. HappyWW!
Loved the photo and thought it had a great mood, then see your follow up comment, and now my imagination is really working hard - great post! Happy WW, I played too.
Thanks for your explanation. I wouldn't know what it is.
Mine is up now.
Thanks for the lesson. Most interesting.
Very interesting spot. Good photo!
Check out mine @ The Simple Times In Life
Wow that is awesome!!!
I want to go see!
"Titicaca" hehe My students always had fun with that one.
Great shot!
Happy WW!
I've always wanted to visit Peru. Beautiful shot.
Cool picture......Happy WW!
Blessings
Thanks for the information on the pictures. Your trip sounds fascinating.
Happy Wordless Wednesday!
*^_^
(=':'=)
(")_ (")Š
from da Raggedy one
Wow, that could be Scotland, what a great shot :-)
BTW why does Bloggers stupid word verification always give me the long ones? :-( Look at this: vnphneuc
This is a stunning photo!!! Thanks for sharing it.
What a nice photo..That sky is so pretty
So cool! No only a terrific pic, but a learning experience as well.
My son was just learning about Lake Titicaca this year! (we homeschool) I will show him the pic and let him read your explanation! Thank you!!!
That is really cool. I enjoy these pictures of foreign places, because I will probably never see them in person. Peru looks very beatiful!
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