World Heritage Site: Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture
Publication Year: 2013
Publication Type: Article
Publication Identifier: WHE9C25B4BFBD
Summary
A striking similarity between ritual 'ears' from Tiwanaku (Bolivia) and Alberite Dolmen (Spain) suggests transatlantic cultural exchange 7,000 years ago. These stone carvings, possibly used for amplifying voice during shamanic rituals, imply bidirectional communication between ancient Andean and Iberian societies. The study also highlights phonological and semantic parallels between Basque language and Andean languages, supporting the existence of early transatlantic linguistic connections. While the exact functionality remains debated, the findings challenge conventional narratives about prehistoric cultural isolation.
Citation
Arnaiz-Villena, A., Alonso-Rubio, J., & Ruiz-del-Valle, V. (2013). Tiwanaku (Titikaka Lake, Bolivia) and Alberite Dolmen (Southern Spain) ritual “ears”. International Journal of Modern Anthropology, 1(6), 61. https://doi.org/10.4314/ijma.v1i6.3
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