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Ollantaytambo
Jun 29, 2024
Ollantaytambo Lecture Notes
Overview
Located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, NW of Cusco
Renowned for precise megalithic polygonal masonry
Famous for the Temple of the Sun with remarkable stonework
Temple of the Sun
Made of large slabs of pink granite
Stone blocks weigh 50-70 tons, fused with precision
One stone shows a Chakana cross pattern, an Andean symbol
Surfaces have smooth, scoop marks hinting at advanced technology
Similar marks observed at Stonehenge and Aswan quarry
1843 drawing by Johann Moritz Rugendas shows missing top stones
Masonry and Building Techniques
Stones interlock precisely, making the structure earthquake-resistant
Knobs on stones seen globally, suggesting the same builders
Inferior stone work possibly by the Incas indicating the site was prehistoric
Scattered blocks suggest cataclysmic destruction
Certain granite blocks are perfectly rectangular with straight edges
Transport and Assembly Mysteries
Found massive structures with precisely fitted stones
Advanced methods indicated by smooth surfaces and precise cuts
Some believe the use of lost technology and machinery to heat/melt stone
Speculation of advanced drilling and cutting technology
Comparison to other sites: Puma Punku, Tiwanaku
Piezoelectric properties in stone influencing water flow
Inca Contributions and Repairs
Built terraces (anden) with complex irrigation on steep Andean slopes
Constructed storehouses for surplus food
Other structures on Temple Hill for strategic and ceremonial purposes
Inca repairs appear primitive next to original constructions
Theories and Conclusions
Suggests an older advanced civilization (dating >12,000 years ago) pre-Inca
Compared to Younger Dryas event cataclysms
Official narrative attributes constructions primarily to Inca emperor Pachacuti
Incan advancements remarkable but still less sophisticated than prehistoric builders
Key Observations
Interlocked stones with no visible gaps on the main walls
Inferior construction identified as Incan repair work
Precision cuts in hard materials like andesite and granite
Use of possible vitrification process
Evidence of advanced machinery for cutting and drilling stone
Unanswered Questions
What technology enabled such precision and transport?
How were massive stones cut, transported, and assembled?
Evidence of prehistoric advanced civilization
Open research on the purpose and origin of megalithic structures
Additional Resources
Documentary on pre-Egyptian technology: Link in top pinned comment
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