The Temple of the Andes

Published in 1884, one of the earliest first-hand illustrated accounts in English of the city and temple complex of Tiwanaku.

Published in 1884, this brief illustrated account of the ruins of the once great city of Tiwanaku in Bolivia pre-dates many of the earliest archaeological studies. Richard Inwards (1840–1937) describes the structures in detail and gives the current thinking as to their possible purpose and original characteristics.Richard Inwards (1840–1937) won renown as the author of the highly popular Weather Lore (also reissued in the Cambridge Library Collection). For many years he worked as a mine manager, and in 1866, while working in Bolivia, he visited the site of Tiwanaku. Although the ruins of this once great city were first described by the conquistadores, it was not until the nineteenth century, with the development of more rigorous archaeological methods, that the site began to be more fully studied. Although published in 1884, this brief account is based on Inwards' 1866 visit, and so is contemporaneous with the work there by E. G. Squier. Pre-dating many of the earliest studies, the book is well illustrated with sketches and plans. The text describes the structures that Inwards observed, provides current thinking as to their possible purpose and original characteristics, and also offers remarks on the local people and culture of the present day.