Decline of Tiwanaku

Timeline

1. 850–900Highlands south of Lake Titicaca · HighlandsLake sediment and ice core records show worsening drought in the 9th century; the raised-field agricultural system (waru waru) became difficult to maintain, food supply was unstable, and the city's attractiveness to surrounding settlements weakened.
2. 900–950Kalasasaya and Puma Punku · TiwanakuLarge stone temple precincts ceased new construction and renovation, and layers of ceremonial pottery and offerings were interrupted, indicating the collapse of central religious authority; elites may have migrated to other settlements around the lake.
3. 950–1100Tiwanaku site · BoliviaThe urban core's population greatly declined, buildings suffered natural erosion and human dismantling, and Tiwanaku's status as regional political center gave way to later Aymara chiefdoms; the site remained revered as a sacred place in later ages.