Island of the
Sun
Lake Titicaca, Bolivia 1996
James Patton
The Incan ruins on the Isla del Sol sit atop the highest lake in the world,
above 4,500 meters in altitude (around 15,000 feet). These doors are reputed
to be the site of virgin sacrifice in honor of the sun god. It is difficult
to determine which are authentic historical facts and which are 'exciting'
tourist fictions, however. The island, which shoots up another 400 meters,
is terraced and still cultivated. At the time of this photograph there
was still no electricity on the island, although that is rumored to have
changed, and the stars thickened the sky like cream during the icy summer
nights.
© 2002 The
Fletcher School, Tufts University