Archaeologists began excavation of the pyramid of Akapena on the southern shore of Lake Titicaca on August 1. President Carlos Mesa attended the opening celebration, as did members of 23 indigenous communities from the surrounding area.
Akapena was a sacred mountain and ceremonial temple in the pre-Colombian era, and Tiwanaku continues to be an Andean spiritual and religious center. While many indigenous community members were present in celebration of the excavation, many also wanted to address Mesa.
"There is so much here to discover about our beginnings and our past—help us make these discoveries, Mr. President," said Pedro Quispe, the leader of the local agrarian organization, according to the Bolivian paper La Razon. Quispe spoke in both Spanish and Aymara.
The excavation is set to last five years and is funded largely by the Andean Growth Corporation and the Municipal Government of Tiwanaku.
