Mollo culture facts for kids
The Mollo culture was an ancient civilization that lived in the high plains (called the Altiplano) of Bolivia. They existed from about 1000 AD to 1500 AD. This was after the great Tiwanaku culture ended, but before the powerful Inca civilization rose. The Mollo people built homes and villages similar to the later Tiwanaku style. However, they did not build large pyramids. The Mollo people also honored and worshiped the jaguar.
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Discovering Mollo Cities and Farms
One of the best places to learn about the Mollo culture is at the ruins of Iskanwaya. This ancient city is located northeast of Lake Titicaca, high up on the Cordillera Real mountains. It sits about 250 meters (820 feet) above the Rio Llica river.
Iskanwaya: A City with Running Water
Iskanwaya is about 325 kilometers (202 miles) from La Paz, Bolivia. It was built between 1145 and 1425 AD. This city was special because it had running water. More than one hundred buildings, along with streets and plazas, can still be seen today.
The Mollo people designed their streets to run from east to west. Their houses were shaped like rectangles and were grouped around open courtyards. For farming, they used special methods like building terraces on hillsides. They also created irrigation systems to bring water to their crops.
Other Mollo Settlements
Other Mollo sites, like Piniqo and Khargi, look similar to Iskanwaya. They also show the same way of building settlements. Wamán is another old farming area with the same terraced fields. Even today, the village of Charazani has Mollo archaeological sites, including the ruins of Mallku Janalaya.
Mollo People and Their Art
The Kallawaya people, who are known as traveling healers, were part of the Mollo culture.
Unique Mollo Pottery
The Mollo culture is also known for its special pottery. Archaeologists have found different types of pots, including shoe-shaped pots, grave pots, vases, and dipping vessels. These pots were either plain or painted with black and white designs on red clay. The Mollo even made a unique drinking cup that had a straw built right into it! Some of these ancient pots can now be seen in museums, like the Náprstek Museum in Prague.
Burial Customs
When an adult died, the Mollo people would bury them alone in special stone or adobe towers called chullpas. However, baby skeletons have been found buried in tombs located under the floors of their houses.
See also
In Spanish: Cultura mollo para niños
