Tiwanaku
No Portrait Available
Tiwanaku (also spelled Tiahuanaco) was a pre-Columbian civilization based near the southern shore of Lake Titicaca in present-day Bolivia, flourishing from roughly 500 to 1000 CE. As one of the most important precursors to the Inca Empire, Tiwanaku developed a distinctive artistic style characterized by geometric precision and monumental stone carving.
The site's most famous sculpture is the Gateway of the Sun, carved from a single block of andesite and decorated with the Staff God (Viracocha) surrounded by running winged figures. Tiwanaku stone sculptures of standing figures with blocky proportions and elaborate headdresses influenced art across the central Andes for centuries. The site became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
Sculptures by Tiwanaku
2 sculptures catalogued with museum locations. Browse all sculptures
Museums with Tiwanaku's Work
1 museum displays Tiwanaku's works. Click any museum to see visiting info and the specific works they hold.
About Tiwanaku
Tiwanaku art from Bolivia (500-1000 CE) features geometric stone carvings, monumental gateways, and blocky standing figures. The Gateway of the Sun with its Staff God image is the civilization's most iconic artwork.
The archaeological site of Tiwanaku near La Paz, Bolivia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Museo Nacional de Arqueología in La Paz and the Metropolitan Museum of Art hold important pieces.
Love Tiwanaku's Style?
Explore art inspired by their style.
Browse Collection