Overview
Cut from a single slab of andesite and standing about three meters tall, the gateway is the most famous monument of the Tiwanaku civilization. It stands within the great ceremonial complex of the highland state.
Description
Its lintel is carved with a central figure, often identified as a staff-bearing sun or sky deity, flanked by rows of winged attendants. The imagery links to a wider Andean religious tradition later echoed by Wari.
History and legacy
The Gateway of the Sun is the emblem of Tiwanaku, whose art and religion influenced the later Andes. It remains a centerpiece of one of the highest ancient cities in the world.