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Lalibela is a mountainous area in Ethiopia famous for its a peculiar complex of twelve religious constructions built probably in the 12th or 13th century. These “Monolithic Churches” (Church of the Redeemer, of Saint Mary, of Mount Sinai, of Golgotha, of the House of the Cross, of the House of the Virgins, of Saint Gabriel, of Abba Matta, of Saint Mercurius, of Immanuel, of St. George) have been carved out of red volcanic rock in the Middle-ages probably for the will of King Lalibela. The local sovereign wished to found a a “New Jerusalem” after Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land was forced to stop due to Muslim conquest.

images by Biete Giyorgis

text by fosco lucarelli on http://socks-studio.com

+ Cyclopean Masonry

1. cy·clo·pe·an

   ˌsīkləˈpēən,sīˈklōpēən/

   1. 1.

      denoting a type of ancient masonry made with massive irregular blocks.

      "cyclopean stone walls"

      
      

      

       Wall in in Hatunrumiyoc street, Cuzco

      
      

      
      

      Excerpt of "Lost Civiliations of the Andes" by Davod Pratt Jan 20, 2011:

      Most Inca buildings were made out of fieldstones or semi-worked stones set in mortar, while others had adobe walls, usually with stone foundations. But some of the buildings attributed to the Incas use precisely cut and shaped stones closely fitted without mortar – yet not even a knife blade can be inserted between them. Sometimes more or less rectangular (ashlar) blocks were used, but instead of being straight, each side is usually wavy, yet fits snugly with the neighbouring block. The most advanced stonework makes use of polygonal blocks, with as many as 12 angles or more, which interlock perfectly with all neighbouring blocks; some of the polygonal blocks are truly cyclopean, sometimes weighing at least 100 tonnes. Such stonework staggers the imagination. As regards lateral joints between blocks, the close fit observed from the front of the wall is sometimes only a few centimetres deep and the interior of the joint is filled with rubble. But in many instances, the snug lateral fit extends through the entire thickness of the wall, just as the bedding (horizontal) joints do. Such walls are essentially earthquake-proof. The fact that ‘Inca’ walls tend to incline inwards by 3° to 5° also contributes to their stability.

      
      

      check out the rest of David's paper and many photos at http://davidpratt.info/andes2.htm

Ani – Ghost City of 1001 Churches

visit this site for a mystical history and tons more pictures.
Posted by RJ Evans
http://www.kuriositas.com/2011/01/ani-ghost-city-of-1001-churches.html
photos credited on link above

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Tulum

the mayan culture is built up in my mind to be very magical, primal, and mysterious. i was glad i went to Tulum, but the experience was reminicent of the feeling you get when you realise santa isn't real.

1/3 ancient ruins that you couldnt get very close to
2/3 tourist trap, crowds, lines, cons