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SOUTHERN PERU:
Puno: Titacaca See     Uros Floating Islands     Amantani Island (Titicaca)     Taquile Island (Titicaca)     Sillustani Gravetumbs    

Sillustani funeral towers

A 34 km (approx. 30 minute) car drive takes you from Puno to the Sillistani funeral towers. These funeral towers, also called Chullpas, were built on hills at Lake Umayo by the Collas culture (1200-1450 A.D.) who were Aymara-speaking people. The towers were construed out of massive, curved and polished blocks of stone which top is wider and open. The stones themselves are coming from the stone pit at the waterside of the Lake Umayo. Inside the towers the most important personalities of the culture were interred in a crouched position. The mummies could watch the sunrise through a small entry in the wall.

Two Chullpas haven`t been finished. On one you can even recognize a ramp on which the heavy blocks of stones were pushed upwards. Additionally you should spot the Chullpa de Lagarto which is with its 12 m height the highest of whole South America. It`s name is derived from a small lizard relief on the wall.

All bird-lovers will enjoy this place as well because they can spot many water birds at the lake. The best time to visit the Sillustani funeral towers is the afternoon when the conditions of illumination are the best.

Sillustani funeral towers: on the peninsula at Lake Umayo, 32 km from Puno   In the Aymara-language these burial towers are called CHULLPAS; their origin dates back to the Colla-culture (pre-Inca, approx. 1200 A.D.)
 
The dead were buried in squatting position; sometimes even women, children and servants were bricked in to serve the deceased......

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