Above, view from north-west showing rings of land and channels

Above, view from north-west

Above, oblique view from north-west showing reconstruction of probable position of walls

Above, oblique view showing reconstruction of probable position of walls in relation to rings of land and channels

Above, oblique view from north showing the cross-like qualities of the site formed by the opening up of two bays, probably due to earthquakes. The inner channel shown here is now higher up the mountain suggesting that this part of the volcano was pushed up later.

Above, view of summit or acropolis from north-west

Above, view of summit or acropolis from south-west with Lake Poopo (the sea) in the distance.

Above, close-up view of summit or acropolis from the south-west

Above, close-up view of summit or acropolis from the south showing how the central island or Acropolis faces towards the south and is sheltered from the north by the rim of the volcano.

Above, close-up overview of the Acropolis and rings.

Above, view from the south showing the embankment faced with stones behind the village. I suspect this has become detached from the main body of the volcano due to earthquakes and forced outwards creating the sandy channel seen on the inside so that the wall of stone shown here would have been continuous instead of appearing broken off as it does at present.
Geological studies are necessary to establish what the original shape of the volcano may have been, which parts may have sunk or risen and which parts may have become detached from their original locations.

Above, oblique view from the south-east showing outer channel.

Above, oblique view from the south-east, a question for geologists - did the low plateau with the concentric rings come first then the volcanic cone force its way through afterwards, or was the volcanic cone there first and the low platform formed afterwards?. Has this part of the low plateau also become detached from its original location and why is one end squashed up against the volcanic cone?

Above, oblique view from the south with Lake Poopo in the background.

Above, oblique view from the south.
J.M.Allen 1st Nov 2009