Open to Interpretation
#Triangle
Game on...on the radio...Dodgers at Padres...searched up Augustus Plongeon's photographs...paused on one, the corbelled triangular doorway of the governors palace...a photo stop to this day...on either side of the doorway, are double spirals, frets, and three "steps"...the triangle has always been a puzzle in step fret triangle...often it's not there...but often enough it is!...and a thought popped...🍿...that corbelled doorway IS the triangle!...the glyph could represent just this scene of the Governor's Palace...top of third...one out...Freeland hit...Ohtani up...no score...hit...Freeland scores...Dodger 1-Padres 0...
✨️The step fret (or xicalcoliuhqui) on the Governor's Palace at Uxmal is a hallmark of Puuc-style Maya architecture. Carved from thousands of carefully cut stones, these geometric, interlocked motifs decorate the building's sweeping upper frieze, blending seamlessly with depictions of rain god masks and plumed serpents. [1, 2, 3]
Located in the ancient Maya city of Uxmal, Mexico, the Governor’s Palace is celebrated for its unparalleled scale and intricate stonework. The elaborate mosaic carvings are heavily layered with cosmological meaning. [1, 2, 3, 4]• The Step Fret Motif: Also known as the "stepped spiral" or xicalcoliuhqui, this continuous geometric pattern is found throughout Mesoamerica and often symbolizes lightning, clouds, and the forces of water and fertility. On the Governor's Palace, they form a backdrop for the narrative frieze. [1, 2, 3, 4]Astronomical Significance: The frieze contains nearly 400 Venus glyphs embedded in masks of the rain god Chaac. The placement of the step frets and glyphs highlights the Maya's sophisticated understanding of the planet Venus, which aligns directly with the building's orientation. [1, 2]Structural Context: This grand palace stretches nearly 99 meters (325 feet) long and sits atop a massive, three-tiered platform that elevates the structure above the surrounding jungle. [1, 2]
✨️xicalcoliuhqui above corbelled doorway uxmal governor's palace
At the ancient Maya site of Uxmal, the xicalcoliuhqui (stepped-fret) design is a dominant motif covering the frieze of the Governor's Palace. Above the central corbelled doorway, this geometric pattern frames a monumental sculpture of a ruler (likely Lord Chac) seated on a throne and surrounded by two-headed serpents. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
The stepped fret design is integral to the building's symbolism. In Mesoamerican iconography, the xicalcoliuhqui (meaning "twisted gourd" in Nahuatl) is highly multivalent. On the Governor’s Palace, it represents: [1, 2, 3]
• Water and Fertility: Symbolizes flowing water, waves, and the zig-zag patterns of lightning, which is tied to the hundreds of Chaac (rain god) masks covering the building. [1, 2, 3]Cycles of Time: Serves as a cosmic symbol reflecting the agricultural cycle and astronomical observations, particularly the cycles of Venus. [1, 2]
The stepped fret design is integral to the building's symbolism. In Mesoamerican iconography, the xicalcoliuhqui (meaning "twisted gourd" in Nahuatl) is highly multivalent. On the Governor’s Palace, it represents: [1, 2, 3]
• Water and Fertility: Symbolizes flowing water, waves, and the zig-zag patterns of lightning, which is tied to the hundreds of Chaac (rain god) masks covering the building. [1, 2, 3]Cycles of Time: Serves as a cosmic symbol reflecting the agricultural cycle and astronomical observations, particularly the cycles of Venus. [1, 2]
✨️symbolism of corbelled doorway at Uxmal Governor's Palace
The corbelled doorways at the Governor's Palace in Uxmal serve as both structural marvels of Puuc architecture and sacred, celestial portals. Symbolically, the corbel arch represents the intersection of the earthly and spiritual realms, acting as a transitional threshold aligned with astronomical movements—particularly the cycles of Venus and seasonal rains. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The architectural and spiritual symbolism of these doorways is expressed in several layers:
- Literal and Metaphorical Thresholds: The corbelled vault, often referred to as a "false arch," delineated restricted, elite, or sacred spaces. Walking through the narrowing triangular passage was akin to crossing into another realm of divine power and knowledge. [1, 2]
- The Celestial Gate: The central doorway of the Governor's Palace is precisely aligned with the azimuth of Venus's rising as the morning star at its maximum southerly declination. The arch frames this cosmic alignment, acting as a literal telescope and monument to the Maya's advanced astronomical understanding. [1, 2, 3]
- Divine Icons and Rulership: Above the central doorway sits the largest figural motif on the entire east frieze: a seated ruler or deity (likely a manifestation of the rain god Chaac) enclosed by tiered bands ending in serpent heads. The archway below anchors this figure to the earth, visually and physically elevating the ruler as a mediator between heaven and the terrestrial world. [1]
- Serpent Symbolism: The corbelled doorways and overarching cornices often represent the open jaws of the Maya bicephalic (two-headed) serpent, a creature associated with royal ancestry, the sky, and the underworld. [1, 2]
🎶the fret, spiral, attribute rattle snake coiling...the steps, well, steps, tho oft said mountain, aand the palace has three tiers-stepped pyramids all about...step fret triangle...Peru...are there corbelled doorways in Peru?
✨️corbelled doorways in Peru?
While corbelling (stacking stone blocks to narrow an opening until they meet) was widely used for ceilings and tomb vaults, actual corbelled doorways are quite rare in pre-Columbian Peru. Instead, you will almost universally find the iconic trapezoidal, lintel-topped doorway. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
The most notable occurrences of these architectural features and alternatives include:
True Corbelled Structures
• Pilko Kayma: Located on the border of Bolivia and Peru (near the Island of the Sun), this Inca-era structure is renowned for having an intimate warren of rooms featuring intact corbelled roofs—a significant rarity in the region. [1]Chullpa Funerary Towers: Found at sites like Sillustani (outside Puno), these pre-Incan and Incan stone tombs feature interior corbel vaults (or false vaults) and traditional trapezoidal entrances. [1, 2]
Typical Inca Doorways (Trapezoidal)
• Machu Picchu: The Inca masterfully employed seismic-resistant, inward-leaning doorways with large single-stone lintels rather than corbelled arches. You can explore typical designs at the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]Ollantaytambo & Sacsayhuamán: In the Sacred Valley, entrances feature exact-cut granite blocks that are narrower at the top than the bottom, providing maximum stability. [1, 2]
False Carved Doorways
• Aramu Muru (Gate of the Gods): Located near Lake Titicaca, this famous 23-foot-high site is an unfinished "false" T-shaped door carved directly into a mountain's sheer rock face. It doesn't actually open into a room or corbelled hallway. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The most notable occurrences of these architectural features and alternatives include:
True Corbelled Structures
• Pilko Kayma: Located on the border of Bolivia and Peru (near the Island of the Sun), this Inca-era structure is renowned for having an intimate warren of rooms featuring intact corbelled roofs—a significant rarity in the region. [1]Chullpa Funerary Towers: Found at sites like Sillustani (outside Puno), these pre-Incan and Incan stone tombs feature interior corbel vaults (or false vaults) and traditional trapezoidal entrances. [1, 2]
Typical Inca Doorways (Trapezoidal)
• Machu Picchu: The Inca masterfully employed seismic-resistant, inward-leaning doorways with large single-stone lintels rather than corbelled arches. You can explore typical designs at the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]Ollantaytambo & Sacsayhuamán: In the Sacred Valley, entrances feature exact-cut granite blocks that are narrower at the top than the bottom, providing maximum stability. [1, 2]
False Carved Doorways
• Aramu Muru (Gate of the Gods): Located near Lake Titicaca, this famous 23-foot-high site is an unfinished "false" T-shaped door carved directly into a mountain's sheer rock face. It doesn't actually open into a room or corbelled hallway. [1, 2, 3, 4]
🎶hmmph...Tommy up...on on FC...top of fourth...two out...Tucker up...trying to remember if Cloud People had corbelled doorway-they do have a few step frets...
✨️The "Cloud People," or Chachapoya, were a formidable pre-Columbian civilization that thrived from the 8th to 16th centuries in the mountainous cloud forests of the Amazonas region in northern Peru. Often referred to as "Warriors of the Clouds" by the Inca, they left behind spectacular, remote archaeological ruins. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Key Ruins to Explore• Kuélap: Often called the "Machu Picchu of the North", this massive, 6th-century mountain fortress sits at 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) above sea level. It features soaring limestone walls and hundreds of circular stone houses. It is highly accessible via the Nuevo Tingo Cable Car. [1, 2, 3]Karajía: Famous for its cliffside sarcophagi. These unique, two-meter-tall wooden and clay coffins (shaped like human figures) are perched high on a limestone ravine, designed to protect the dead. [1, 2, 3, 4]Gran Pajatén: A sprawling, lushly overgrown ancient city featuring circular buildings decorated with intricate stone friezes located within the Río Abiseo National Park. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Why Their Ruins are Unique
Because the Chachapoya lived in a high, arid microclimate within the jungle, many of their tombs and villages remained remarkably intact. They were master builders who carved stone cities into virtually inaccessible mountain peaks and cliffs, and their distinct architectural style features round, rather than square, homes. [1, 2]
✨️Chachapoya doorways
The Chachapoya built iconic, trapezoidal doorways designed for defense. Best seen at the towering fortress of Kuélap in northern Peru, these deliberate structures are wide at the bottom and taper upward to the lintel, narrowing until only a single person can pass through at a time. [1, 2]
Key Features of Chachapoya Doorways
• Trapezoidal Shape: Unlike standard rectangular or arched entrances, these doorways are V-shaped, a distinct architectural hallmark of both Chachapoya and subsequent Inca design. [1]Defensive Design: Gateways in fortified complexes like Kuélap were heavily restricted, forcing approaching visitors into narrow, single-file funnels leading to the main plazas. [1]Verandas & Porches: Chachapoya circular buildings often featured a layer of flat stones sticking out of the walls at the level of the door, essentially creating a small porch or veranda before stepping inside. [1]Single Slabs: In smaller, residential Chachapoya cities like Llaqtacocha or Yálape, doorway lintels are frequently formed by single, heavy stone slabs. [1]
The Nazca step fret motif (often called xicalcoliuhqui) transitioned from a flat, two-dimensional painted graphic into a literal three-dimensional architectural and sculptural element during the late phases of Nazca ceramic production. Instead of simply slipping the geometric stair-and-spiral pattern onto the surface of a bowl, Nazca artisans physically molded the clay vessel itself into the staircase and hook configuration.
Features of 3D Step Fret Pottery
• Sculptural Architecture: The vessel’s body—especially visible in double-spout and bridge bottles—is physically carved or built with stepped, tiered ridges that mimic Andean temple architecture and sacred geometric mountains.
• Polychrome Slip Fusion: Artisans combined physical relief sculpting with multi-colored slip painting (using up to 13 distinct mineral pigments) to accentuate the depth of the physical steps.
• Symbolic Convergence: In Andean iconography, the step represents the connection between Earth and the underworld (or mountains), while the fret/spiral represents water, waves, or fertility. Making it three-dimensional gave the vessel a monumental, architectural presence.
Key Features of Chachapoya Doorways
• Trapezoidal Shape: Unlike standard rectangular or arched entrances, these doorways are V-shaped, a distinct architectural hallmark of both Chachapoya and subsequent Inca design. [1]Defensive Design: Gateways in fortified complexes like Kuélap were heavily restricted, forcing approaching visitors into narrow, single-file funnels leading to the main plazas. [1]Verandas & Porches: Chachapoya circular buildings often featured a layer of flat stones sticking out of the walls at the level of the door, essentially creating a small porch or veranda before stepping inside. [1]Single Slabs: In smaller, residential Chachapoya cities like Llaqtacocha or Yálape, doorway lintels are frequently formed by single, heavy stone slabs. [1]
✨️Chachapoya Easter Island
While physically oceans and worlds apart, the Chachapoya culture of Peru and the Moai of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) are frequently compared because both created striking, human-like statues designed to watch over the landscape. [1]
These two ancient wonders differ greatly in function, material, and environment:
Chachapoya (Peru)
• What They Are: 7-foot-tall anthropomorphic coffins called Purunmachu.Placement: Placed on nearly inaccessible limestone cliffs, looking out over river valleys.Purpose: They functioned as elite sarcophagi housing mummified remains.Material: They were crafted from a durable mixture of clay, sticks, and stone rather than chiseled from a single rock.Location: Cloud forests of the Andes in the Amazonas region of northern Peru. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Easter Island / Rapa Nui (Chile)
• What They Are: Giant monolithic statues known as Moai.Placement: Stand along the coastal windblown plains, usually atop ceremonial stone platforms (ahu).Purpose: They represent deified ancestors meant to channel spiritual power (mana) and protect the island's descendants.Material: Completely carved from volcanic tuff rock.Location: A remote triangular island in the southeastern Pacific Ocean. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
These two ancient wonders differ greatly in function, material, and environment:
Chachapoya (Peru)
• What They Are: 7-foot-tall anthropomorphic coffins called Purunmachu.Placement: Placed on nearly inaccessible limestone cliffs, looking out over river valleys.Purpose: They functioned as elite sarcophagi housing mummified remains.Material: They were crafted from a durable mixture of clay, sticks, and stone rather than chiseled from a single rock.Location: Cloud forests of the Andes in the Amazonas region of northern Peru. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Easter Island / Rapa Nui (Chile)
• What They Are: Giant monolithic statues known as Moai.Placement: Stand along the coastal windblown plains, usually atop ceremonial stone platforms (ahu).Purpose: They represent deified ancestors meant to channel spiritual power (mana) and protect the island's descendants.Material: Completely carved from volcanic tuff rock.Location: A remote triangular island in the southeastern Pacific Ocean. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
🎶Ohtani up...W...
✨️doorway easter island
When people refer to a "doorway" on Easter Island (Rapa Nui), they are usually talking about the uniquely tiny doorways of the ancient traditional boat houses known as hare paenga. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The Hare Paenga (Boat Houses)
These historical structures were built by the ancient Rapa Nui people and were shaped exactly like an overturned, half-opened canoe. Because they were exposed to strong, whipping ocean winds, they were designed to be aerodynamic. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• The Doorway: The entrance was designed to look like an "oven mouth". It was incredibly small, allowing visitors to enter only by crawling—not on hands and knees, but strictly on their stomachs. [1]The Purpose: The door’s small size was highly intentional. It limited the amount of cold wind and rain that could blow inside and allowed just enough light through for inhabitants to see once their eyes adjusted. [1]Size: These homes were typically around 15 meters long, though the largest recorded hare paenga (located in the Tepeu area) measured a massive 45 meters in length. [1]
Other Doorway-Related Sites on Rapa Nui
Aside from the traditional boat houses, doorways on the island typically tie into:
• Subterranean Stone Houses: The Rapa Nui also built underground stone dwellings featuring traditional post-and-lintel stone doorways, many of which were documented in the late 19th century. [1, 2]The "Gateway" Metaphor: Rapa Nui is often romantically described by modern travelers as a "doorway" or a portal to another world due to its extreme geographical isolation and deep spiritual and cultural history. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The Hare Paenga (Boat Houses)
These historical structures were built by the ancient Rapa Nui people and were shaped exactly like an overturned, half-opened canoe. Because they were exposed to strong, whipping ocean winds, they were designed to be aerodynamic. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• The Doorway: The entrance was designed to look like an "oven mouth". It was incredibly small, allowing visitors to enter only by crawling—not on hands and knees, but strictly on their stomachs. [1]The Purpose: The door’s small size was highly intentional. It limited the amount of cold wind and rain that could blow inside and allowed just enough light through for inhabitants to see once their eyes adjusted. [1]Size: These homes were typically around 15 meters long, though the largest recorded hare paenga (located in the Tepeu area) measured a massive 45 meters in length. [1]
Other Doorway-Related Sites on Rapa Nui
Aside from the traditional boat houses, doorways on the island typically tie into:
• Subterranean Stone Houses: The Rapa Nui also built underground stone dwellings featuring traditional post-and-lintel stone doorways, many of which were documented in the late 19th century. [1, 2]The "Gateway" Metaphor: Rapa Nui is often romantically described by modern travelers as a "doorway" or a portal to another world due to its extreme geographical isolation and deep spiritual and cultural history. [1, 2, 3, 4]
🎶bases loaded...Freddie up...W...run across...Dodgers 2-Padres 1...Betts up...three walks and a hit batter!...base hit...Dodgers 4-Padres 1...first and third...one out...a "rain" delay while Padres change pitchers...this inning is like last nights nine run...Padres discombobulated...Muncie up...
✨️Nazca, Moche, Tiahuanaco, Doorways
These three pre-Columbian civilizations—the Nazca, Moche, and Tiahuanaco (or Tiwanaku)—flourished in the Andes and coastal deserts of South America between roughly 200 BCE and 1000 CE. They are best known for their monumental geoglyphs, towering pyramid complexes, and iconic monolithic stone architecture. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Nazca (c. 200 BCE – 600 CE)
- Location: Southern coast of Peru.
- Known For: The Nazca Lines, massive geoglyphs carved into the desert floor that depict animals, plants, and geometric shapes.
- Culture: They were highly skilled at engineering, creating underground aqueducts to survive in a harsh, arid environment. They also produced some of the most intricate, polychrome pottery in the region. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
Moche (c. 100 CE – 800 CE)
- Location: Northern coast of Peru. [1, 2]
- Known For: Monumental adobe brick architecture, such as the Huaca del Sol (Temple of the Sun) and Huaca de la Luna (Temple of the Moon). [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- Culture: Renowned for their highly realistic, lifelike pottery and masterful metalwork. They were a warrior-priest society with elaborate sacrificial rituals, and their graves—like the Lord of Sipán—are among the richest ever found in the Americas. [1, 2, 3]
Tiahuanaco (c. 400 CE – 1000 CE)
- Location: High-altitude Andes near Lake Titicaca in Bolivia.
- Known For: The Gateway of the Sun (or Inti Punku), an iconic megalithic stone doorway carved from a single block of andesite.
- Culture: A major ceremonial and administrative center known for advanced masonry, agricultural terracing, and raised-field farming.
- The "Doorway": The Gateway of the Sun features intricate, low-relief carvings with a central "Staff God" and winged bird-men. It likely functioned as a celestial calendar or a sacred portal. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
🎶Tommy up...X...bottom of fifth...
✨️The Gateway of the Sun (Puerta del Sol) at Tiahuanaco (Tiwanaku) is the primary architectural and artistic link connecting these pre-Inca Andean cultures. While Nazca and Moche are distinct coastal civilizations known heavily for their pottery and desert geoglyphs, they share deep iconographic themes with highland Tiahuanaco. Most notably, the central figure on Tiahuanaco’s monolithic doorways directly mirrors the widespread Andean religious motifs found across all three cultures.
✨️Tiahuanaco Gateway of the Sun Bird People Easter Island
These ancient sites share strong mythological and artistic ties. While Tiwanaku (Bolivia) and Rapa Nui (Easter Island) are separated by thousands of miles, both cultures deeply revered a supreme creator deity and practiced iconic bird-man traditions alongside profound astronomical alignments. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The Gateway of the Sun & Tiahuanaco
• The Site: Located in the Bolivian Andes near Lake Titicaca, the Gateway of the Sun is a megalithic portal carved from a single 10-ton andesite block by the Tiwanaku civilization (c. 500–950 CE). [1, 2, 3]The Bird People: Its central figure is the "Staff God," surrounded by 48 winged, avian, and human-headed attendants. [1, 2, 3]Connection: Scholars like Arthur Posnansky and ancient astronaut theorists have noted its precise solar and astronomical alignments, theorizing it might have served as a calendar or a spiritual portal. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The Bird People & Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
• The Tradition: The Tangata Manu (Birdman) was a sacred annual competition on Rapa Nui dedicated to the creator god Makemake. [1, 2]The Competition: Warriors representing competing tribes would scale down a steep, 250-meter cliff from the ceremonial village of Orongo, swim through shark-infested waters to the islet of Motu Nui, and race to retrieve the season's first manutara (sooty tern) egg. [1, 2, 3]The Shared Motif: The victorious chief became the "Birdman" for the year, an elite status celebrated with petroglyphs combining human bodies with bird heads. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
The Gateway of the Sun & Tiahuanaco
• The Site: Located in the Bolivian Andes near Lake Titicaca, the Gateway of the Sun is a megalithic portal carved from a single 10-ton andesite block by the Tiwanaku civilization (c. 500–950 CE). [1, 2, 3]The Bird People: Its central figure is the "Staff God," surrounded by 48 winged, avian, and human-headed attendants. [1, 2, 3]Connection: Scholars like Arthur Posnansky and ancient astronaut theorists have noted its precise solar and astronomical alignments, theorizing it might have served as a calendar or a spiritual portal. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The Bird People & Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
• The Tradition: The Tangata Manu (Birdman) was a sacred annual competition on Rapa Nui dedicated to the creator god Makemake. [1, 2]The Competition: Warriors representing competing tribes would scale down a steep, 250-meter cliff from the ceremonial village of Orongo, swim through shark-infested waters to the islet of Motu Nui, and race to retrieve the season's first manutara (sooty tern) egg. [1, 2, 3]The Shared Motif: The victorious chief became the "Birdman" for the year, an elite status celebrated with petroglyphs combining human bodies with bird heads. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
🎶stuff like this made Thor Hyerdahl build a balsa wood raft...the Cloud People were near Ecuador, where balsa trees grow...
✨️where does balsa wood grow?
balsa wood grow
+5
Balsa trees (Ochroma pyramidale) grow natively in the humid rainforests and tropical clearings of Central and South America. Their natural habitat stretches from southern Mexico down to Bolivia. [1, 2, 3]
While native to the Americas, balsa thrives in warm, highly rainy environments with excellent drainage. Key details about where it grows: [1]
• Primary Source: Over 95% of the world’s commercial balsa wood comes from Ecuador, which has the perfect equatorial climate and mountainous geography for cultivating the tree. [1, 2, 3]
+5
Balsa trees (Ochroma pyramidale) grow natively in the humid rainforests and tropical clearings of Central and South America. Their natural habitat stretches from southern Mexico down to Bolivia. [1, 2, 3]
While native to the Americas, balsa thrives in warm, highly rainy environments with excellent drainage. Key details about where it grows: [1]
• Primary Source: Over 95% of the world’s commercial balsa wood comes from Ecuador, which has the perfect equatorial climate and mountainous geography for cultivating the tree. [1, 2, 3]
🎶did the deserts of Peru west coast have a "green" time like the "Green" Sahara?...
✨️did the deserts of Peru west coast have a "green" time like the "Green" Sahara?...
Green" Sahara?...
+16
Yes, the coast of Peru and the Atacama experienced episodic periods of significantly increased moisture in the past, transitioning from hyper-arid to much greener, semi-arid environments. However, unlike the "Green Sahara" (African Humid Period), which was driven by stable orbital changes, Peru's green times were typically driven by shifting monsoon cycles and massive El Niño flooding. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Key Periods of "Greening"
• The Late Glacial & Early Holocene (14,000 to 9,000 years ago): Geological and biological records, such as desert loess and ancient mollusk fossils found in the southern Palpa and Nasca regions, suggest the region shifted to a semi-arid grassland. This was likely caused by a southward shift of the Bolivian High, increasing the South American Summer Monsoon. [1, 2]The Mid-Holocene (Around 6,000 to 7,000 years ago): Archaeological excavations near the coastal Chincha Valley reveal that the areas stretching up to 3 miles inland from the ocean were not desert, but lush, swampy wetlands prior to intensive farming and human settlement. [1]The Central Andean Pluvial Event (12,500 to 11,000 years ago): While not exactly the immediate coastline, the nearby high Andes and Altiplano experienced a massive wet phase. This event formed gigantic lakes (like Lake Tauca) and caused heavy runoff down to the coast, providing a vital source of water for early Paleoindians. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The Modern Coastal Desert Paradox
Today, the Peruvian coast is one of the driest places on Earth due to the cold Humboldt Current and the high Andes creating a rain shadow. It generally only receives moisture from a dense marine fog known as garúa, creating "lomas" (vegetated mist oases). [1, 2, 3, 4]
However, over the last two decades, satellite data has shown that the Pacific slope of the Andes is undergoing a "browning" at low altitudes and a "greening" at higher ones. Paradoxically, scientists attribute this recent greening to climate change and warming ocean temperatures, rather than a return to the natural ancient pluvial periods.
+16
Yes, the coast of Peru and the Atacama experienced episodic periods of significantly increased moisture in the past, transitioning from hyper-arid to much greener, semi-arid environments. However, unlike the "Green Sahara" (African Humid Period), which was driven by stable orbital changes, Peru's green times were typically driven by shifting monsoon cycles and massive El Niño flooding. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Key Periods of "Greening"
• The Late Glacial & Early Holocene (14,000 to 9,000 years ago): Geological and biological records, such as desert loess and ancient mollusk fossils found in the southern Palpa and Nasca regions, suggest the region shifted to a semi-arid grassland. This was likely caused by a southward shift of the Bolivian High, increasing the South American Summer Monsoon. [1, 2]The Mid-Holocene (Around 6,000 to 7,000 years ago): Archaeological excavations near the coastal Chincha Valley reveal that the areas stretching up to 3 miles inland from the ocean were not desert, but lush, swampy wetlands prior to intensive farming and human settlement. [1]The Central Andean Pluvial Event (12,500 to 11,000 years ago): While not exactly the immediate coastline, the nearby high Andes and Altiplano experienced a massive wet phase. This event formed gigantic lakes (like Lake Tauca) and caused heavy runoff down to the coast, providing a vital source of water for early Paleoindians. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The Modern Coastal Desert Paradox
Today, the Peruvian coast is one of the driest places on Earth due to the cold Humboldt Current and the high Andes creating a rain shadow. It generally only receives moisture from a dense marine fog known as garúa, creating "lomas" (vegetated mist oases). [1, 2, 3, 4]
However, over the last two decades, satellite data has shown that the Pacific slope of the Andes is undergoing a "browning" at low altitudes and a "greening" at higher ones. Paradoxically, scientists attribute this recent greening to climate change and warming ocean temperatures, rather than a return to the natural ancient pluvial periods.
🎶Ohtani up...0-2...Matsui on mound settled Padres down...an umbrella...K...thought popped 🍿that balsa trees had a wider range...made for a colonizing navy...redwood logs floated to Hawaii, Cabo San Lucas...aand, up north, the kayak...Russians brought Kayakers to Fort Ross...Padres with base runner...
✨️it's an anamoly that ancient didn't trade across the oceans
The premise that ancient civilizations didn't trade across the oceans is largely a misconception; they actually built vast maritime superhighways. Ancient mariners regularly navigated the open seas, connecting continents, transferring massive cargo, and driving the global economy long before the modern era. [1, 2, 3]
The notion of isolated continents is a myth. Some of the most remarkable feats of ancient oceanic trade included: [1]
• The Indian Ocean Exchange (2000 B.C. onward): This network rivaled the Silk Road in the amount of goods moved. Intrepid merchants from Africa, Arabia, Persia, India, and China used the predictable reversal of monsoon winds to cross open waters rather than just hugging the coastlines. [1, 2, 3]The Deep-Sea Canaanite Shipwreck: Surveyors mapped out the earliest deep-sea shipwreck ever found. The vessel sank 3,400 to 3,300 years ago, nearly 55 miles off the Israeli coast in the middle of the Mediterranean, proving the ancients were capable of intentional open-water sailing far earlier than previously assumed. [1]Pacific Crossings: The Polynesians were master navigators capable of crossing thousands of miles of open ocean using stars, currents, and birds. They successfully traversed the Pacific, leading to confirmed, ancient contact and genetic interchange between Polynesians and indigenous South American groups. [1, 2]
The notion of isolated continents is a myth. Some of the most remarkable feats of ancient oceanic trade included: [1]
• The Indian Ocean Exchange (2000 B.C. onward): This network rivaled the Silk Road in the amount of goods moved. Intrepid merchants from Africa, Arabia, Persia, India, and China used the predictable reversal of monsoon winds to cross open waters rather than just hugging the coastlines. [1, 2, 3]The Deep-Sea Canaanite Shipwreck: Surveyors mapped out the earliest deep-sea shipwreck ever found. The vessel sank 3,400 to 3,300 years ago, nearly 55 miles off the Israeli coast in the middle of the Mediterranean, proving the ancients were capable of intentional open-water sailing far earlier than previously assumed. [1]Pacific Crossings: The Polynesians were master navigators capable of crossing thousands of miles of open ocean using stars, currents, and birds. They successfully traversed the Pacific, leading to confirmed, ancient contact and genetic interchange between Polynesians and indigenous South American groups. [1, 2]
🎶"and birds"...Padres get a run...Dodgers 4-Padres 2...Padres a good team...
✨️Nazca step fret pottery
The "step fret" (or stepped fret) is a prominent geometric motif in ancient Nazca ceramics from Peru (c. 100 BCE–800 CE). It features a continuous line that creates right-angled, staircase-like turns, frequently interpreted by scholars as a stylized symbol for mountains, temples, or thrones. [1, 2, 3]
Cultural and Technical Significance
• Symbolism: The stepped fret and other geometric forms like zigzags and steps reflect the Nazca people's deep connection to their environment and agricultural fertility. Mountains were deeply revered as origins of water and the dwelling place of nature gods. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]Polychrome Painting: Nazca potters are renowned for using up to 15 vibrant colors on a single vessel. These intricate, bold designs were painted using liquid clay slips made from local mineral pigments (such as iron oxides for reds and manganese for black) before firing. [1, 2, 3]Double-Spout and Bridge: The stepped fret motif frequently adorns the classic Nazca double-spout and bridge vessel, a highly distinctive form used for pouring liquids and controlling the flow of air. [1, 2, 3]Relation to Geoglyphs: The bold linear and geometric designs seen on Nazca pottery strongly echo the famous Nazca Lines etched into the desert landscape. [1, 2]
To explore authentic examples of Nazca vessels displaying this motif, you can view the collections curated by the The Metropolitan Museum of Art or the The Art Institute of Chicago.
Cultural and Technical Significance
• Symbolism: The stepped fret and other geometric forms like zigzags and steps reflect the Nazca people's deep connection to their environment and agricultural fertility. Mountains were deeply revered as origins of water and the dwelling place of nature gods. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]Polychrome Painting: Nazca potters are renowned for using up to 15 vibrant colors on a single vessel. These intricate, bold designs were painted using liquid clay slips made from local mineral pigments (such as iron oxides for reds and manganese for black) before firing. [1, 2, 3]Double-Spout and Bridge: The stepped fret motif frequently adorns the classic Nazca double-spout and bridge vessel, a highly distinctive form used for pouring liquids and controlling the flow of air. [1, 2, 3]Relation to Geoglyphs: The bold linear and geometric designs seen on Nazca pottery strongly echo the famous Nazca Lines etched into the desert landscape. [1, 2]
To explore authentic examples of Nazca vessels displaying this motif, you can view the collections curated by the The Metropolitan Museum of Art or the The Art Institute of Chicago.
🎶once one sees the step fret and triangle on that three dimensional Nazca pot, and the Aztec feather shields, one can't unsee it!...Betts up...or not note the import-the pre-Columbian Americans were together...need to find link to one of those pots...bbk...
✨️AI Mode
The Nazca step fret motif (often called xicalcoliuhqui) transitioned from a flat, two-dimensional painted graphic into a literal three-dimensional architectural and sculptural element during the late phases of Nazca ceramic production. Instead of simply slipping the geometric stair-and-spiral pattern onto the surface of a bowl, Nazca artisans physically molded the clay vessel itself into the staircase and hook configuration.
Features of 3D Step Fret Pottery
• Sculptural Architecture: The vessel’s body—especially visible in double-spout and bridge bottles—is physically carved or built with stepped, tiered ridges that mimic Andean temple architecture and sacred geometric mountains.
• Polychrome Slip Fusion: Artisans combined physical relief sculpting with multi-colored slip painting (using up to 13 distinct mineral pigments) to accentuate the depth of the physical steps.
• Symbolic Convergence: In Andean iconography, the step represents the connection between Earth and the underworld (or mountains), while the fret/spiral represents water, waves, or fertility. Making it three-dimensional gave the vessel a monumental, architectural presence.
🎶bottom of seventh...aand, I cant find a Nazca triangle...its on moche Lord Sipan's cap...
✨️moche step fret triangle pottery
In both ancient Mesoamerican and Andean civilizations, the triangle motif served as a foundational sacred symbol representing the connection between the earthly realm, cosmic structures, and the natural elements. While individual cultures applied specific regional myths to the shape, both macro-regions universally used triangles to communicate ideas about sacred landscapes, fertility, and divine authority.
───
🗺️ Mesoamerica: Mountains, Fire, and the Cosmos
In Mesoamerican cultures like the Maya, Aztecs, and Mixtecs, triangles were heavily tied to structural cosmology and the sacred landscape.
• Sacred Mountains (Tepec): Triangles represented mountains, which Mesoamericans viewed as "water mountains" (altepetl)—the source of water, sustenance, and the dwelling place of ancestors.
• The Stepped Fret (Xicalcoliuhqui): This ubiquitous hook-and-triangle motif symbolized the cut conch shell, wind, and the breath of life. It is famously carved into the stone facades of Mitla and Chichen Itza.
• Cosmic Fire & Hearth: In Maya cosmology, three stones were placed at the center of the universe during creation to form the first hearth. Maya art and architecture frequently used triangular clusters of three elements to mimic this primordial creation triangle.
• The Sky Serpent: Triangular rows on murals and pottery often depicted the scales of the Vision Serpent or Feathered Serpent, representing the shedding of skin, rebirth, and the flow of agricultural water.
───
🏔️ Andean Cultures: Water, Earth, and Social Order
In the Andes—including the Chavín, Moche, Tiwanaku, and Inca civilizations—the triangle was a key geometric tool used to conceptualize the harsh, vertical geography.
• Mountain Peaks (Apus): To Andean peoples, mountains were living gods (Apus). Triangular patterns on textiles and pottery directly paid homage to these protective deities who controlled the weather and water supply.
• The Chakana (Andean Cross): While the chakana is stepped, its modular structure relies heavily on a series of triangular tiers that represent the three realms of Andean cosmology: the upper world (Hanan Pacha), the human world (Kay Pacha), and the underworld (Uku Pacha).
• Water and Irrigation: Zigzag bands composed of repeating triangles were used by the Moche and Inca to visually represent flowing rivers, irrigation canals, and terraced agricultural fields (andenes).
Pre-Columbian Andean architectural models (ceramic house models) offer an invaluable glimpse into ancient South American architecture, domestic life, and cosmology. Created by various cultures—such as the Moche, Recuay, Wari, and Chavin—these vessels often integrated highly symbolic geometric motifs like step frets into their designs. Florida Museum of Natural History +4
Cultural and Architectural Significance
• Moche & Recuay Models: The Moche (c. 100–700 CE) and Recuay (c. 1–700 CE) cultures created highly detailed, sculptural ceramic house scenes. These models depict gabled roofs, open patios, and solid adobe walls. They frequently show figures engaged in rituals, drinking ceremonies, or political assemblies inside the structures. Florida Museum of Natural History +4
• Wari & Chavin Vessels: The Wari (c. 600–1000 CE) produced house vessels with distinct overhanging roofs supported by pillars. Even earlier, the Chavin culture fashioned symbolic temples, sometimes featuring ritual elements like the San Pedro cactus or sacred jaguars. David Bernstein Pre-Columbian Art +3
Symbolism of the Step Fret
• Sacred Geometries: The step fret, or stepped-fret design, is one of the most prominent symbols across pre-Columbian art. Known as xicalcoliuhqui in Mesoamerica, its variants were equally dominant across Andean ceramics, textiles, and architecture. Wikipedia +2
• Dualities and Earth: The geometric combination of steps connected to spirals or waves symbolizes fundamental concepts such as the cosmos, water, mountains, and fertility. When painted or carved onto house models, they often delineated sacred spaces or denoted the high social and religious status of the occupants. Florida Museum of Natural History +4
In Moche pottery (100–800 CE, ancient Peru), the combination of a step fret (stepped fret) and a triangle forms an iconic Andean geometric motif with profound cosmological meaning. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Artistic & Symbolic Breakdown
• The Step Motif: Represents the physical and spiritual landscape of the Andes. It symbolizes agricultural terraces built into steep mountainsides, temple stairs leading toward the gods, and the earthly world (Kay Pacha) connecting to the upper heavenly realm (Hanan Pacha). [1, 2, 3]The Fret/Triangle Motif: Often represents a stylized, angular wave or a coiled serpent. In coastal Moche culture, it symbolizes water, ocean currents, and fertility. [1, 2, 3]Andean Duality (Tinkuy): Combined, the step (land/mountain) and the fret/triangle (water/sea) represent the merging of opposing but complementary natural forces. [1, 2]
Usage on Moche Ceramics
• Chronology: This pattern was especially prominent in early Moche I and II phases (c. 100–400 CE) when pottery relied heavily on abstract geometric decoration and incised lines rather than highly detailed narrative painting. [1]Elite Status Indicator: The motif frequently decorates the clothing, headdresses, and earspools of warriors, priests, and elite individuals sculpted or painted onto stirrup-spout vessels. It signaled power, prestige, and religious authority. [1, 2, 3]Color Palette: Moche artisans applied this pattern using a characteristically limited bichrome palette—typically painting a deep brick-red slip over a cream or white slip background. [1, 2, 3]
🎶lol...not there yet...a Peru triangle...bottom seventh...two outs...to top of eighth...explained by a scholar, researcher...or Mexico triangle...and side by side...
Artistic & Symbolic Breakdown
• The Step Motif: Represents the physical and spiritual landscape of the Andes. It symbolizes agricultural terraces built into steep mountainsides, temple stairs leading toward the gods, and the earthly world (Kay Pacha) connecting to the upper heavenly realm (Hanan Pacha). [1, 2, 3]The Fret/Triangle Motif: Often represents a stylized, angular wave or a coiled serpent. In coastal Moche culture, it symbolizes water, ocean currents, and fertility. [1, 2, 3]Andean Duality (Tinkuy): Combined, the step (land/mountain) and the fret/triangle (water/sea) represent the merging of opposing but complementary natural forces. [1, 2]
Usage on Moche Ceramics
• Chronology: This pattern was especially prominent in early Moche I and II phases (c. 100–400 CE) when pottery relied heavily on abstract geometric decoration and incised lines rather than highly detailed narrative painting. [1]Elite Status Indicator: The motif frequently decorates the clothing, headdresses, and earspools of warriors, priests, and elite individuals sculpted or painted onto stirrup-spout vessels. It signaled power, prestige, and religious authority. [1, 2, 3]Color Palette: Moche artisans applied this pattern using a characteristically limited bichrome palette—typically painting a deep brick-red slip over a cream or white slip background. [1, 2, 3]
🎶lol...not there yet...a Peru triangle...bottom seventh...two outs...to top of eighth...explained by a scholar, researcher...or Mexico triangle...and side by side...
✨️triangle motif in mesoamerica and andean cultures
In both ancient Mesoamerican and Andean civilizations, the triangle motif served as a foundational sacred symbol representing the connection between the earthly realm, cosmic structures, and the natural elements. While individual cultures applied specific regional myths to the shape, both macro-regions universally used triangles to communicate ideas about sacred landscapes, fertility, and divine authority.
───
🗺️ Mesoamerica: Mountains, Fire, and the Cosmos
In Mesoamerican cultures like the Maya, Aztecs, and Mixtecs, triangles were heavily tied to structural cosmology and the sacred landscape.
• Sacred Mountains (Tepec): Triangles represented mountains, which Mesoamericans viewed as "water mountains" (altepetl)—the source of water, sustenance, and the dwelling place of ancestors.
• The Stepped Fret (Xicalcoliuhqui): This ubiquitous hook-and-triangle motif symbolized the cut conch shell, wind, and the breath of life. It is famously carved into the stone facades of Mitla and Chichen Itza.
• Cosmic Fire & Hearth: In Maya cosmology, three stones were placed at the center of the universe during creation to form the first hearth. Maya art and architecture frequently used triangular clusters of three elements to mimic this primordial creation triangle.
• The Sky Serpent: Triangular rows on murals and pottery often depicted the scales of the Vision Serpent or Feathered Serpent, representing the shedding of skin, rebirth, and the flow of agricultural water.
───
🏔️ Andean Cultures: Water, Earth, and Social Order
In the Andes—including the Chavín, Moche, Tiwanaku, and Inca civilizations—the triangle was a key geometric tool used to conceptualize the harsh, vertical geography.
• Mountain Peaks (Apus): To Andean peoples, mountains were living gods (Apus). Triangular patterns on textiles and pottery directly paid homage to these protective deities who controlled the weather and water supply.
• The Chakana (Andean Cross): While the chakana is stepped, its modular structure relies heavily on a series of triangular tiers that represent the three realms of Andean cosmology: the upper world (Hanan Pacha), the human world (Kay Pacha), and the underworld (Uku Pacha).
• Water and Irrigation: Zigzag bands composed of repeating triangles were used by the Moche and Inca to visually represent flowing rivers, irrigation canals, and terraced agricultural fields (andenes).
🎶Dream researchers resort to noting how Dreamers report their dreams, wondering if in that, some clue to understanding dreams...that in posts a couple back...kinda the same thing, a side by side!, with the research captions to the step fret triangle... captions atop reports!-the ancients art...Dodgers get out of the bottom of eighth with double play...
✨️AI Mode
Pre-Columbian Andean architectural models (ceramic house models) offer an invaluable glimpse into ancient South American architecture, domestic life, and cosmology. Created by various cultures—such as the Moche, Recuay, Wari, and Chavin—these vessels often integrated highly symbolic geometric motifs like step frets into their designs. Florida Museum of Natural History +4
Cultural and Architectural Significance
• Moche & Recuay Models: The Moche (c. 100–700 CE) and Recuay (c. 1–700 CE) cultures created highly detailed, sculptural ceramic house scenes. These models depict gabled roofs, open patios, and solid adobe walls. They frequently show figures engaged in rituals, drinking ceremonies, or political assemblies inside the structures. Florida Museum of Natural History +4
• Wari & Chavin Vessels: The Wari (c. 600–1000 CE) produced house vessels with distinct overhanging roofs supported by pillars. Even earlier, the Chavin culture fashioned symbolic temples, sometimes featuring ritual elements like the San Pedro cactus or sacred jaguars. David Bernstein Pre-Columbian Art +3
Symbolism of the Step Fret
• Sacred Geometries: The step fret, or stepped-fret design, is one of the most prominent symbols across pre-Columbian art. Known as xicalcoliuhqui in Mesoamerica, its variants were equally dominant across Andean ceramics, textiles, and architecture. Wikipedia +2
• Dualities and Earth: The geometric combination of steps connected to spirals or waves symbolizes fundamental concepts such as the cosmos, water, mountains, and fertility. When painted or carved onto house models, they often delineated sacred spaces or denoted the high social and religious status of the occupants. Florida Museum of Natural History +4
🎶fump...still not a specific step fret and triangle Andean example...there are lots...search being illusive!...wait...the wall painting at Lady Cao's tomb in Temple of the Moon...Dodger 4-Padres 2...
As 1-Angels 4...😇
🧐https://thetinkuy.wordpress.com/figure-6-the-lady-of-cao-a-moche-ruler/
:)
DavidDavid
