How was Puma Punku built and by who?

Answer 1

The Pumapunku is part of the archaeological site known as Tiwanaku located in Bolivia on the southern side of Lake Titicaca which divides Peru and Bolivia (the site is actually several miles away from the lake and you can't see it from there). Tiwanaku was constructed during the Middle Horizon (600-1000 AD) and occupied by people from the Andean culture who have been given the same name as the site, Tiwanaku, as their original name is unknown. There is disagreement about whether Tiwanaku should be considered a state-level society according to the traditional classification, but it is certain that their society had high social stratification and a complex spiritual system. Their influence extended considerably beyond this site as Tiwanaku artifacts have been found in regions along the south coast of Peru.

There is currently no consensus on all the aspects of its construction or intended purpose, but certain general conclusions have been agreed on. It likely played a role in the spiritual practices of Tiwanaku, especially as it it is situated to line up with certain mountains still venerated by indigenous Andean communities. Regarding construction, the Pumapunku was NOT constructed by aliens, but by innovative methods of stonecutting which would later serve as inspiration for the Inka methods. The base is a T-shaped platform constructed with earth and sand of varying types finished with sandstone slabs which was surrounded by four retaining walls of andesite. The stones of the retaining walls were finished, including the carving of the friezes, before being placed, a process made possible by grips carved into the stones themselves allowing them to be lifted. These stones were fitted together without the use of mortar, the builders instead relying on special clamps of a bronze/copper/arsenic/nickel alloy fitted into carved holes, as well as extremely precise finishing of the stones so the edges would perfectly line up.