Then there's the pillar statue in the semi-subterranean…
![“Then there's the pillar statue in the semi-subterranean temple at Tiahuanaco [Bolivia]. Like the Totem Pole of Göbekli Tepe, it is anthropomorphic. Like the Totem Pole at Göbekli Tepe, it has serpents writhing up its side. Like the Totem Pole at Göbekli Tepe, the long fingers of its hands almost…” quote by Graham Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/799/graham-hancock-10752_anthropomorphism_then-there-s-the-pillar-statue-in-the-se_1084202.jpg)
““Then there's the pillar statue in the semi-subterranean temple at Tiahuanaco [Bolivia]. Like the Totem Pole of Göbekli Tepe, it is anthropomorphic. Like the Totem Pole at Göbekli Tepe, it has serpents writhing up its side. Like the Totem Pole at Göbekli Tepe, the long fingers of its hands almost meet in front of its body. The face is human not animal, however, and it's heavily bearded. Nonetheless, the figure of an animal is carved on the side of its head and this animal resembles no known species more closely than it does Toxodon, a sort of New World rhino that went extinct during the cataclysms at the end of the Ice Age around 12,000 years ago. This isn't pareidolia --the figure is definitely there. So there's only one question--and it's difficult to answer: is this a depiction of Toxodon, or is it some creature of the artist's imagination?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The statue’s ambiguous features spark debate on ancient knowledge versus artistic imagination.
In simple terms: Unclear origins of a mysterious statue.
Key Takeaway
Explore multiple interpretations before concluding.
Themes
archaeology
mythology
interpretation
Mood
curious
skeptical
Type
analytical
inquisitive
When to use this quote
- museum curation
- academic research
- public education
Key Concepts
Iconography
cultural diffusion
ancient art
Questions to Reflect On
- Is the creature symbolic or literal?
- What does this reveal about ancient imagination?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations may be biased by modern perspectives.