The Stones of Tiahuanaco: A Study of Architecture and Construction (Monograph, 75)

If you are interested in learning what Tiahuanaco architecture is all about, this is the book for you. The authors carefully and in detail lay out all the evidence that survives on the architecture and show what it can tell us about this once magnificent site. They are cautious in not pushing the evidence past what it can actually prove. Highly recommended by experts in the field.

This book is every bit as wonderful as the co-author Protzen's prior 1993 book on the stonework of Ollantaytambo, available now only in libraries (or out-of-print at an extraordinary price, if you can even find it). I only wish I had this new book with me when going to see the Tiwanaku archaeological site last summer. And the authors are right about the changes to the placement of stones at the integral Pumapunku site since they conducted their study in the last decade. Buy this book, study it, and then go to Tiwanaku in Bolivia, adjacent to Lake Titicaca, bordering southern Peru. You won't regret it. Seeing the site is an incredible experience, somewhat akin to going to Machu Picchu, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo. Reading the book for background, even as a tourist like me, would add so much to your enjoyment of going to the actual site. And even if you can't travel to Tiwanaku, read the book anyway.

The author goes into excruciating detail describing things that are much better understood with photos. They describe experiments to determine how the carvings were done, but do not address the precisely drilled holes in some of the stones. I wanted to very much know about these holes. I am a cabinetmaker with 40 years experience and know how much care needs to be taken to drill precisely aligned holes in wood with good equipment, much less stone with copper or bronze tools.

Another great book wonderful if you like the beautiful ancient past .

This book about the Tiahuanaco architecture by Protzen and Nair is a scientific study of great importance, even without clarifying the most of the mysteries of the Tiahuanaco arquitecture ,this study is very careful when trying to refute some erroneous hypothesis about the Tiahuanaco urban design and the misguided reconstructions made by Ponce Sangines among others ,trying to reconstruct the archaeological site in order to provide a better image of the ruins for tourism and national pride ,they inflicted a serious damage destroying archaeological evidences when they moved the stones, yet it should be noted the lack of this kind of research by the time the worked on it around the 60's & 70's ,This study emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary work when some archaeological project is in process for a better research in order to reconstruct the archaeological remains in an accurate manner.However we can have a quite clear idea about how it was the place in ancient times, and this book will be an ideal guide for any researcher ,tourist interested in ancient ruins or armchair archaeologist extracting relevant information from the lots of stones scattered around the site without any order or original position, appreciating the skill of the stonemason when cutting and carving such stones ,the book will guide us when exploring such stone chaos that is Tiahuanaco.A study of great scientific value that will help further research when trying to reveal some of the Tiahuanaco mysteries.

The book offers rare images of the stones of the gran arqueological complex of Tiahuanaco in Bolivia; however, i do not agree with the written text which is based on information given by european's point of view rather than precious information given by the authentic descendants of the Aymaras people. But again, the photos are precious and the purchase was worth while.I wish this book had a hard cover.