Page 80 - Fingerprints of the Gods by Graham Hancock

Graham Hancock – FINGERPRINTS OF THE GODS

Tiahuanaco.
That was in the sixteenth century. More than 400 years later, at the end
of the twentieth century, I shared Garcilaso’s puzzlement. Scattered
around Tiahuanaco, in defiance of the looters who had robbed the site of
so much in recent years, were monoliths so big and cumbersome yet so
well cut that they almost seemed to be the work of super-beings.

Sunken temple

Like a disciple at the feet of his master, I sat on the floor of the sunken
temple and looked up at the enigmatic face which all the scholars of
Tiahuanaco believed was intended to represent Viracocha. Untold
centuries ago, unknown hands had carved this likeness into a tall pillar of
red rock. Though now much eroded, it was the likeness of a man at peace
with himself. It was the likeness of a man of power ...
He had a high forehead, and large, round eyes. His nose was straight,
narrow at the bridge but flaring towards the nostrils. His lips were full.
His distinguishing feature, however, was his stylish and imposing beard,
which had the effect of making his face broader at the jaws than at the
temples. Looking more closely, I could see that the sculptor had
portrayed a man whose skin was shaved all around his lips with the result
that his moustache began high on his cheeks, roughly parallel with the
end of his nose. From there it curved extravagantly down beside the
corners of his mouth, forming an exaggerated goatee at the chin, and
then followed his jawline back to his ears.
Above and below the ears, on the side of the head, were carved odd

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