tiahuanaco_statues

The first massively built structure in south america, so far as is now known, is at Tiwanaku in Peru. Here we see the three stele at the center of the wide courtyard of the temple of Viracocha at Tiwanaku. Placed facing the entrance to this slightly subterranean courtyard is the stele of Viracocha. At some distance behind this stele is an archway that was not apparently attached to any other structure. This is the gateway of Viracocha. Here we see the carving of him above the gateway, signifying him as a feathered serpent.