For centuries, archaeologists have been studying ancient structures to learn more about the origins of the world. In the 1900s, a major clue emerged: Puma Punku. Through carbon dating, it was discovered to be around 1,500 years old, which dates back to approximately 536-600 AD, according to Anthropologist James Birx.
Puma Punku's carbon dating also revealed its relation to the Tiwanaku archaeological site in Bolivia, an ancient city once the center of a powerful pre-Columbian empire.
Reports from Journey Latin America noted the city's advanced engineering, architecture, and cultural influence across the Andes. Most importantly, unique features suggested a possible link to the beginnings of civilization.
Also Read: Top 5 Ancient Stone Structures Around the World That Influenced Modern Architecture
(Photo : JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons)
Everything Found From Puma Punku's Carbon Dating
Archaeologists stated that Puma Punku, which translates to "Door of the Puma" in Aymara, is a large terraced platform mound with a sunken court and carved stone blocks. Located near Lake Titicaca, it is part of the larger Tiwanaku site.
The structure is composed of massive blocks, some weighing over 100 tons, that are so precisely cut that they fit together without mortar, much like a giant puzzle.
Considering that Tiwanaku can be thought of as the center of a powerful kingdom or empire that existed in the Andes region from around 300 to 1000 AD, the purpose of Puma Punku remains a subject of debate, with theories ranging from it being a temple to a ceremonial center.
What is clear, however, is that the advancement of its construction is unmatched by any other site in the ancient Americas.
Puma Punku's Carbon Dating: How It Revealed the Start of the World
One of the biggest breakthroughs in understanding Puma Punku came from carbon dating of materials found at the site. These tests show that Puma Punku was built around 536-600 AD, much earlier than we originally thought.
Smithsonian Mag reported that experts believe that the exact dating of Puma Punku matches a time of major environmental changes and cultural shifts around the world. This suggests that Puma Punku is possibly linked to the start of the world largely due to its impressive architectural features, particularly a "mirror effect" created by the alignment of its gateways.
Puma Punku's Gateways
Vaugn and Tripcevich (2013) found that Puma Punku has at least five full-sized gateways that were once part of the Puma Punku complex, with some scholars suggesting there may have been as many as eight.
These gateways were made from andesite, a type of volcanic rock, and were likely intended to be integrated into the larger monumental structure.
(Photo : Janikorpi / Wikimedia Commons)
Interestingly—Puma Punku features both full-sized and miniature gateways, with the smaller ones being scaled-down replicas of the larger structures. These miniatures, made from interconnected "H-blocks," show that the builders had a deep understanding of design and scale. The gateways also include complex, doubly curved stones, which are difficult to recreate even today.
Archaeologists, including UC Berkeley's Alexei Vranich, discovered that these gateways were designed to frame each other in a way that made it seem like you were looking into infinity within a single room. This architectural design is further supported by the Incan belief that Puma Punku was the birthplace of the world, with the gateways serving as a symbolic entrance to this sacred space where the world began.
Related Article: How Were Ancient Structures Built? Experts Reveal 5 Explanations
