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Bolivian pyramid palaver

Akapana �renovation� threatens site�s World Heritage status

20/10/2009

The ruins of the Akapana pyramid in
Tiwanaku, Bolivia (DeFries)

Attempts to give an ancient Bolivian pyramid a makeover now threaten its World Heritage status, according to reports.

Archaeologists have rebuilt the ruins of the Akapana pyramid – in the ancient city of Tiwanku in the Bolivian Andes – in adobe instead of stone, leading to an outcry from experts.

And, as well as not being sympathetic to the original building, building experts are warning that the weight of the new bricks may cause the pyramid to collapse.

The Akapana pyramid was built between 300 and 700AD and was of immense spiritual significance to the Tiwanku civilisation.

It was included on the World Heritage List in 2000 because it bore “striking witness to the power of the empire that played a leading role in the development of the Andean pre-Hispanic civilisation”.

However, a team from Unesco is set to visit the site to determine if it should now be removed from the list.

Thousands of visitors pay US$10 (�6.50) each to visit the site every year.

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VITAL STATISTICS

* Country: Bolivia

* Capital: La Paz

* Population: 9,119,152

* Language: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara

* Currency: Boliviano - 0% commission and the best price foreign currency - guaranteed online

* Visa Information: Click here

* Tourist Board: Click here

* FCO Page: Click here

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