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Volume 1 35 |
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A–Z |  |
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ONE OF THE MOST ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE |
AN AMAZONIAN BRAVE IN GALA ATTIRE |
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| It is familiarly known as the Gate of the Sun, and the figure of the god surmounting the doorway is, doubtless, an image of a sun-god. A number of the details of the carving have been left uncompleted, as though the city of Tiahuanaco, where it stands, had been overwhelmed by some catastrophe before the sculptors had finished their work. The monolith was probably broken in an earthquake ages ago, but has been re-erected on the same spot, as shown in our photograph | The easy pose of this Indian is due to the long necklace of peccari (pig) tusks, which bears witness to his skill as a hunter. His womenfolk are seldom given to wearing such dentiform charms, but load themselves with ropes of seeds and beads. The delicate designs tattooed on face and arms are tribal marks and denote his rank |