Tiwanaku

Kero, Tiwanaku, AD 300-1000 

Festivities

Ritual drinking and feasting was at the core of Tiwanaku identity as the seasonal festivals at which it occurred strengthened the social relationships at the heart of this society. Keros were the distinctive vessels used to drink the maize beer or ‘chicha’ and they are found at all Tiwanaku sites.

Tortora reed boat, Lake Titicaca, 1970s 

New technology

The technology of tortora reed boat construction transformed the Titicaca basin and the ability of the Tiwanaku culture to thrive. It allowed for the high-speed transport and movement of people and materials across the highest navigable lake in the world creating a hub of trade and interaction.

Chaquitaclla foot plough, Peru, AD 1430-1560 

Farming... and friendship

The success of the Tiwanaku culture was founded upon the development of innovative and intensive farming practices. This ceramic vessel from Peru shows a chaquitaclla foot plough that is also a cup for drinking maize beer and it encapsulates that relationship between agriculture and ritual drinking used to create the strong social relationships necessary to farm the land successfully.

Snuff pipe, Barasana, 20th century 

A drinking tradition

Many of the statues at the ceremonial centre of Tiwanaku have figures holding a kero in one hand and a snuff pipe for inhaling intoxicants in the other. These intoxicants come from plants traded up from the Amazonian lowlands and reflect the size and importance of the growing Tiwanaku culture.

Bolivian dance mask, Bolivia, 1980s 

Festivals

The size and scale of seasonal festivals and the ceremonial centres at which they were held increased exponentially through the Tiwanaku period. These festivals held at important times in the agricultural calendar continue today and play an important role in helping people to live in these desolate high Andean plains.