The cylindrical chullpa funerary towers at Sillustani on the shores of Lake Umayo near Puno, Peru. These above-ground burial towers built by the Colla and
Photographs of ancient ruins, archaeological sites, and mysterious structures from ancient civilizations around the world. Browse high-resolution images of megalithic stonework, carved reliefs, underground chambers, and monumental architecture spanning thousands of years of human history. Each photograph includes detailed captions, photographer attribution, and links to related sites and theories for deeper exploration of the archaeological context. Our gallery covers sites from the Giza plateau and Gobekli Tepe to Machu Picchu and Easter Island, documenting the physical evidence at the heart of archaeological debates.
The cylindrical chullpa funerary towers at Sillustani on the shores of Lake Umayo near Puno, Peru. These above-ground burial towers built by the Colla and later Inca peoples feature remarkable dry-stone construction, with some towers reaching 12 metres in height. The towers are wider at the top than the base, an engineering feat that defies intuitive structural logic.
This archaeological photograph documents important features of ancient sites and artifacts. Captured by Martin St-Amant, this image provides visual evidence relevant to ongoing archaeological research and theoretical debates. Browse related photographs, explore the connected archaeological sites, and learn about the theories this image relates to in our comprehensive gallery collection.