Vaskiri is an unusual structure associated with sacred mountains and buildings where ancient people kept mummified bodies of their ancestors. It is unlike anywhere else found in the Andes.
Experts theorize that a strange circular structure in Bolivia’s cold and harsh mountainous regions may be the site of rituals designed to control the region’s unfavorable climate. This building is unique and unlike anything else, writes IFLScience.
Focus.Technologies own telegraph channel. Subscribe to not miss the latest and most interesting news from the world of science!
The researchers stumbled upon the find while examining the Karangas ruins. Archaeologists believe it was located at the center of the Altiplano, a large Andean plateau divided by volcanoes, which had a particularly dry and cold climate.
Scientists have discovered 135 religious objects here, and they claim that this uninhabitable desert may once have been a “powerful ritual site.”
It is surprising that there are so many ritual structures in these remote highlands, but one object stands out the most.
This unique building was called Waskiri. It amazes with both its size (140 meters in diameter) and design and regularity, and is located close to the Chilean border.
The incredible circular structure is in the form of a ring along its circumference, consisting of 39 adjacent sections. The exterior surrounds a central plaza with pottery dating to AD 1250-1600. to.
Thanks to the finds, scientists suggest that the structure was used between 1250 and 1600 AD. Additionally, given the size as a whole, researchers suggest a connection between Vaskiri and other ancient Andean temples, namely wak’as (wak’as). These include sacred mountains, protected hills and burial structures containing the mummified remains of important ancestors of ancient peoples.
In terms of this “religious map,” archaeologists believe Vaskiri and other nearby structures may have played a role in supporting a spiritual order to control the weather.
That there are so many religious buildings here can be explained by the ancient people’s belief in protective deities who could control such harsh weather conditions. After all, even a small fluctuation in temperature or precipitation can lead to the death of entire crops or animals.
And Vasquiri, though not documented in archaeological sources, is mentioned by the priest Bartolome Alvarez, who traveled to Carangas in the 1580s.
Previously Focus He spoke of the secret cult of Mithras. Archaeologists managed to discover in Germany the sanctuary of the Persian god of the ancient Romans.
We also wrote about how hundreds of ancient mysterious paintings carved in stone “spread” across the Qatari desert.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.