Kalasasaya facts for kids
The Kalasasaya (say "Kah-lah-sah-SIGH-yah") is a very old and important stone building. Its name means "Stopped Stones." It is part of a huge ancient city called Tiwanaku in Bolivia. This amazing place is so special that it's listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it's protected for everyone to learn about and enjoy.
Kalasasaya: An Ancient Stone Structure
The Kalasasaya is like a big, low platform. It has a large open area, or courtyard, inside. High stone walls surround this courtyard. The structure is about 120 meters (394 feet) long and 130 meters (426 feet) wide. It is carefully lined up with the main directions: north, south, east, and west.
Exploring the Design
Just like other platform mounds in Tiwanaku, the Kalasasaya has a special sunken court in its center. You can get to this sunken court by walking up a grand staircase. This staircase is found through an opening in the eastern wall.
The walls themselves are made of large sandstone pillars. These tall stones stand next to sections built with smaller, carefully cut blocks called Ashlar masonry. Over the years, parts of this wall have been rebuilt to help preserve it. Between 1957 and 1960, archaeologists worked to reconstruct all four walls and the main entrance gate.
A Look at Its History
The Kalasasaya is very old! It was built sometime between 200 BCE (Before Common Era) and 200 CE (Common Era). This means it's over 1,800 years old. It is located near other important structures in the Tiwanaku complex. You can find it north of the Akapana and west of the Semi-Subterranean Temple.
