The Tiwanaku Lithic Museum displays some of the most iconic works of Bolivia's cultural heritage.
The Bennett Monolith and other imposing totemic figures stare out at visitors in the museum's exhibition spaces.
The museum is located opposite the archaeological site and contains more than one hundred unique exhibits of Tiwanaku culture. Among them is the famous Bennett Monolith, a 7.30-meter-high stone sculpture carved from a single block of andesite, found in 1932 in the Semi-Subterranean Temple by archaeologist Wendell Bennett. It is an anthropomorphic monolith and, although its meaning is still unclear, it is thought to represent an important local woman who was deified or even the Pachamama (Mother Earth) herself.
The large exhibits displayed at the Museum were carved from stones such as andesite, basalt, sandstone and diorite, from quarries located far from Tiahuanaco.
During the museum tour you can admire many famous sculptures, including the Chachapuma, or man with a puma head, the representation of a feline god found inside the Akapana Pyramid. Made of black basalt, it depicts this legendary figure with a mutilated head in his claws, demonstrating his terrible divine powers to mankind.
Visiting the Lithic Museum of Tiwanaku means appreciating the power of this ancient civilization through its sculptures: write to us to organise a visit.
Additional Info
The entrance price to the archaeological site and its museums is Bs 100 for foreign tourists, Bs 15 for national tourists and Bs 5 for national students.
Where
Avenida Manco Kapac, municipio de Tihuanaco, departamento de La Paz.
Transportation
En transporte público
Desde La Paz, en la terminal ubicada al frente del Cementerio General en la calle Beltazar Aquiza, o desde la terminal interprovincial de El Alto se encuentran los minibuses hacia Tiahuanaco. El viaje dura aproximadamente 2 horas.
En transporte privado
Desde La Paz tomar la Ruta Nacional 1 en dirección a Tihuanaco; se entra en el municipio a través de la avenida General Gámez hasta tomar la avenida Manco Kapac, que lleva al ingreso del sitio arqueológico y sus museos.
Visiting Rules
For your health and the health of local population, remember to comply with all biosecurity protocols and codes of conduct before and during your stay: wear a mask and carry hand sanitizer, plus a first aid kit, with sunscreen and medications for altitude sickness.
During your visit remember to protect the cultural and natural heritage of the region.