Twelve-angled stone
{{Short description|Incan archaeological artifact in Peru}}
{{Infobox ancient site
|name = Twelve angled stone
|native_name =
|image = Twelve angle stone, 2021.jpg
|image_size = 300px
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|coordinates = {{coord|13|30|58|S|71|58|35|W|}}
|location = Cuzco Region, {{PER}}
|region =
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|part_of = Archbishop's palace
|length =
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|abandoned =
|epochs =
|cultures = Inca civilization
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{{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
| child = yes
| Part_of = City of Cuzco
| Area = Latin America and the Caribbean
| criteria = Cultural: iii, iv
| ID = 273
| year = 1983}}
}}
The twelve-angled stone is an archeological artifact in Cusco, Peru. It was part of a stone wall of an Inca palace, and is considered to be a national heritage object. The stone is currently part of a wall in the palace of the Archbishop of Cusco.{{cite news|url=http://www.municusco.gob.pe/web/contenido.php?id_item=48&tab=5|title=Lugares turísticos (Tourist site)|publisher=municusco.gob.pe|date=July 14, 2014|language=Spanish|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714203004/http://www.municusco.gob.pe/web/contenido.php?id_item=48&tab=5|archivedate=July 14, 2014}}
Characteristics
The twelve-angled stone is composed of a formation of diorite rocks {{cite book |first=Dennis |last=Ogburn |date=2013 |chapter=Variation in Inca Building Stone Quarry Operations in Peru and Ecuador |editor1=Nicholas Tripcevich |editor2=Kevin J. Vaughn |title=Mining and Quarrying in the Ancient Andes: Sociopolitical, Economic, and Symbolic Dimensions |series=Interdisciplinary Contributions to Archaeology |pages=45–64 |doi=10.1007/978-1-4614-5200-3_3 |isbn=978-1-4614-5200-3}} and is recognized by its fine finishing and twelve-angled border, an example of perfectionist Incan architecture. The block is categorized as Cultural Heritage of the Nation of Peru and is located in the city of Cusco, 1105 km from Lima. The stone is a great example of Inca knowledge in the evolution of construction. There are other stones with the same vertices but the twelve-angled stone is the most famous.
As an example of the Incas' advanced stonework, the stone is a popular tourist attraction in Cusco and a site of pride for many locals. The perfectly cut stone is part of a wall known as the Hatun Rumiyoc, which makes up the outside of the Archbishop's palace.{{cite news|url=http://www.peruviantimes.com/10/cuscos-twelve-angle-stone-defaced/21712/|title=Cusco's Twelve Angle Stone Defaced |publisher=www.peruviantimes.com|date=March 10, 2014}}
Damage
On 18 February 2025, a man believed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs was arrested after hitting the stone with a hammer, causing "irreversible damage" and multiple fragments breaking off.{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250219-peru-s-12-angle-stone-vandalized-causing-irreversible-damage |title=Peru's 12-Angle Stone vandalized, causing 'irreversible damage' |publisher=France 24|date=19 February 2025|language=en}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline|Twelve angle stone}}
{{coord|13.5161|S|71.9764|W|source:wikidata|display=title}}
Category:Archaeological sites in Peru
Category:Archaeological sites in the Department of Cusco