Qala Yampu: The Lake Titicaca Reed Boat Project

We now had the experience of moving a 12 ton boat to the water with only people, ropes, and poles. We had the experience of loading our stone on the boat with the same ancient methods. We did not expect any problems unloading the stone, as a matter of fact we may have taken the process for granted.

The closest shores of Titicaca to Tiwanaku are around the Tarako Peninsula. This was where we found so many large tired stones. But the waters around this area are extremely shallow, unlike Copacabana. We would not be able to pull right up to the shore to unload our stone. Was this a fatal mistake that resulted in the tired stones along this shore so many hundred years ago?

The shores of Santa Rosa were not far from Tarako, and the waters were deeper, although still not as deep as Copacabana. We had decided early on to make Santa Rosa our destination. We were not even ready for what we would encounter as we sailed around the point into their shores. First there was a canal constructed some 600 to 800 years ago that was unknown to us before our arrival. It was narrow, about 40 feet wide, perfect for us to sail our boat directly into the shelter of its banks on both sides. Some parts of the banks were perfectly level, or just a little lower, than our gunwales making it absolutely perfect for unloading our cargo. Also to our surprise was the fact that about 60 people, mostly school children, were waiting on the bank to greet us.

Soon the town’s leaders came to greet us and made it known that they wanted to keep the stone and the boat there. They wanted to build a park for the stone and a museum for the boat. They were enthusiastic and hospitable, more so than anybody we had encountered along the way.

We spent a couple last nights on my boat as the unloading crew and process was being organized. Finally on September 18 we began. Again a bridge of eucalyptus was placed from the boat to the bank of the canal. Ropes were placed around the stone. The levers were in hand. Water was poured as a lubricant. Everybody got into position as we began to roll the stone off the boat. This time with about 50 people, the stone was removed from the boat and moved 200 feet up the bank in less than an hour.

				*Click the thumbnail below to see the larger photo!*
	We now had the experience of moving a 12 ton boat to the water with only people, ropes, and poles. We had the experience of loading our stone on the boat with the same ancient methods. We did not expect any problems unloading the stone, as a matter of fact we may have taken the process for granted. The closest shores of Titicaca to Tiwanaku are around the Tarako Peninsula. This was where we found so many large tired stones. But the waters around this area are extremely shallow, unlike Copacabana. We would not be able to pull right up to the shore to unload our stone. Was this a fatal mistake that resulted in the tired stones along this shore so many hundred years ago? The shores of Santa Rosa were not far from Tarako, and the waters were deeper, although still not as deep as Copacabana. We had decided early on to make Santa Rosa our destination. We were not even ready for what we would encounter as we sailed around the point into their shores. First there was a canal constructed some 600 to 800 years ago that was unknown to us before our arrival. It was narrow, about 40 feet wide, perfect for us to sail our boat directly into the shelter of its banks on both sides. Some parts of the banks were perfectly level, or just a little lower, than our gunwales making it absolutely perfect for unloading our cargo. Also to our surprise was the fact that about 60 people, mostly school children, were waiting on the bank to greet us. Soon the town’s leaders came to greet us and made it known that they wanted to keep the stone and the boat there. They wanted to build a park for the stone and a museum for the boat. They were enthusiastic and hospitable, more so than anybody we had encountered along the way. We spent a couple last nights on my boat as the unloading crew and process was being organized. Finally on September 18 we began. Again a bridge of eucalyptus was placed from the boat to the bank of the canal. Ropes were placed around the stone. The levers were in hand. Water was poured as a lubricant. Everybody got into position as we began to roll the stone off the boat. This time with about 50 people, the stone was removed from the boat and moved 200 feet up the bank in less than an hour.			*Santa Rosa Canal* From atop the mast you can see the shape and size of the canal. ________ Stone Ready A bridge of logs from the boat to the canal bank, ready for the stone. ________ Rock & Roll Rolling the stone proves faster than sliding it, yet risks breaking. ________ Stone Track "Tracks" of logs made moving the stone much easier. ________