Legends have persisted over the centuries that there are stone structures beneath the waters of Lake Titicaca, in the Andes between Bolivia and Peru. These ruins are said to be much the same kind as can be found on the lake's shore and in Tihuanaco. The Indians of that region have frequently recounted this tradition, but until recently there has been no proof of such structures.
According to the BBC Online BBC Online, on August 24, 2000, an Italian team of scientists discovered the remains and ruins of a huge temple underwater in Lake Titicaca. Archaeologists from an international expedition 30-member team, Atahuallpa 2000, had made more than 200 dives in the lake. Expedition leader, Lorenzo Epis, said: "We've found what appears to have been a 200-metre-long, 50-metre-wide holy temple, a terrace for crops, a pre-Incan road and a 700-metre-long containing wall.”
The divers followed a submerged road until they arrived at the discoveries, at a depth of about 20 metres. Mr. Simi, of Akakor Geographical Exploring, an Italian cultural association that organized the expedition, said this was the first time top-level divers and professional archaeologists had investigated Titicaca together, adding that it was rare for specialists of both disciplines to work side by side. The team was looking for an underwater temple and found a terrace for crops, a long road and an 800-metre (2,600 feet) long wall under the waters of the lake pre-dating the Incas.
Very interesting. I have been on dives in other places, like off the coast of Japan, where underground structures have been found. It is really exciting to follow a lead and have it turn into something awesome. Usually, you don't find much, but every so often you run across something that is monumental.
ReplyDeleteLet me be the first to respond and say how much we appreciate reading your daily post. Like many of the others, this validates the Book of Mormon, and the Land of Promise in Andean Peru. Can't wait for tomorrow's new tidbit.
ReplyDeleteOops. I wasn't the first after all.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Lake Titicaca is where the ancient site is that may be the oldest or first settlement in the Andes. I also have heard that this lake was once much lower, maybe at Sea level, making it aong the east coast of that area before the rising of the Andes. Is that true?
ReplyDeleteI saw a special on the history channel, where they found a large golden head at the bottom of Titicaca. They spoke of how difficult it is to dive in Titicaca, because it's at such a high elevation.
ReplyDeleteDonald: Yes, the civilization that built around Lake Titicaca are called the Tiahuanicos (Tiahuanaco). They were so ancient, even the Incas had no idea who had built the site when the Spaniards questioned them. In my book "Lehi Never Saw Mesoamerica" this civiization is explained and connected to the Book of Mormon Nephites.
ReplyDeleteKimberly: The lake is 932 feet at its greatest depth, 351 feet overall, though some areas are more shallow. It is the highest commercially navigatable lake in the world, and the Bolivian navy (Bolivia is a landlocked country) uses it for training. Divers find it very difficult to dive there because of the temperature and how the height affects their equipment. It is claimed that more than the one city so far seen is buried in the lake, which is the larges lake by volume in South America.
ReplyDeleteI saw a PBS special some time ago showing that crops of wheat and corn had once grown around this lake, but at a present height where they would not ripen today. The special talked about the lake being at sea level, with salt water fish found in the lake even today
ReplyDeleteI've seen pics of those ruins. They are magnificent and date long before the time of Christ. It is a shame the railroad in Peru used the blocks to crush them up for roadbase. Another fabulous archaeological site mostly destroyed now.
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