Plasticine technology of polygonal masonry in Peru

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

The Kramola portal offers you a scientific point of view on the plasticine technology for creating polygonal megaliths in Peru. The conclusions are based on the studies of the Institute of Tectonics and Geophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences; mineralogical data and physicochemical conditions for the creation of such polygonal clutches are presented.

A similar technology is described in detail in the voluminous article Dolmens of the Caucasus. Construction technology, in particular, it provides such an interesting fact: when disassembling dolmens for transportation, with subsequent assembly at a new place, modern scientists cannot repeat the ideal fit of huge sandstone blocks

This sore question has been plaguing more than one generation of researchers for a long time. Cyclopean buildings amazed with their scale even the first conquistadors, who set foot on lands hitherto unknown to Europeans. The virtuoso processing of wall elements, the most accurate adjustment of the mating seams, the size of the multi-ton blocks themselves, make us admire the skill of the ancient builders to this day.

In different years, various, independent researchers have established the material from which the blocks of the walls of the fortress were made. It is gray limestone that composes the surrounding rock strata. The fossil fauna contained in these limestones allows them to be considered equivalent to the Ayavakas limestones of Lake Titicaca, belonging to the Apto-Albu Cretaceous.

The blocks that make up the masonry of the wall do not look cut down at all (as many researchers prefer to assert), or carved out by some high-tech tool. With modern processing tools it is also very difficult, and often completely impossible, to achieve such mates when working with hard material, and even in such a quantity.

What can we say about the ancient peoples, which, with a low level of technology development, had to commit truly incredible deeds? Indeed, according to the prevailing official version, the blocks were allegedly hewn out in the nearby quarries being developed, and then dragged, while being processed from different sides for fitting and joining in mates with subsequent installation into the masonry of the wall. Moreover, given the weight of the blocks themselves, such a version becomes altogether similar to a fairy tale. All this action is attributed to the Quechua people (Incas), whose great empire flourished on the South American continent in the 11-16 centuries. AD, the end of which was put by the conquistadors.

At this point, it is worth clarifying that the Incas inherited and used the products of knowledge of previous civilizations that existed in the territories subject to them. Numerous archaeological studies of these areas indicate the existence of more ancient cultures, which are the undisputed predecessors and founders of the very "base" on the basis of which the Inca empire grew up. And it is far from a fact that the grandiose cyclopean buildings of Sacsayhuaman were the work of the Incas, who could easily use the ready-made buildings, completely without putting their hands to cutting down and dragging heavy blocks, not to mention their processing.

The Incas, or their predecessors, do not have any high-tech research, with the help of which it would be possible to carry out the whole range of such works on the construction of grandiose structures. No archaeological research confirms any availability of appropriate tools and devices that can justify the prevailing opinion. Some "way out" of this situation are trying to offer prospectors who admit the factor of alien intervention. They say - they flew in, built and flew away, or disappeared / died out without a trace, leaving behind no knowledge of the technologies used in the construction of the walls. What can be said about this? Specifically, you can answer this question only by excluding all other possibilities. And as long as such are not excluded, one should rely on facts and sound logic.

The limestone of the blocks is so dense that some prospectors are in favor of andesite, which, of course, is in no way fair and, accordingly, introduces confusion and confusion, serving as a source of misinterpretations in the direction of further research. The most recent studies of the Sacsayhuaman fortress by Russian scientists (ITIG FEB RAS) together with (Geo & Asociados SRL), which conducted a GPR scan of the area in order to identify the reasons for the destruction of the fortress walls commissioned by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture, sufficiently highlighted the situation regarding the composition of the block material. Below is an excerpt from the official report (ITIG FEB RAS) on the results of X-ray fluorescence analysis of samples taken directly from the research site:

As can be seen from the composition, there can be no talk of any andesite, since the content of silica itself in it should already be observed in the range of 52-65%, although it is worth noting immediately the rather high density of the limestone itself that composes the blocks. It is also worth noting the absence of organic remains in the samples of material taken from the blocks, as well as the presence of these in the samples taken from the supposed place of extraction - "quarry".

Accordingly, in the next fragment, represented by a thin section of a sample taken from a block, no obvious organic remains are observed. It is precisely the fine-crystalline structure that is clearly visible.

In this case, it is quite possible to assume a purely chemogenic origin of this limestone, which, as is known, is formed as a result of precipitation from solutions and should usually be expressed as oolitic, pseudo-oolitic, pelitomorphic and fine-grained varieties.

But don't be in a hurry. Along with the study of a thin section of a sample taken from a block, a similar study of a thin section of a sample taken from a prospective quarry showed clearly distinguishable inclusions of organic remains:

There is a similarity in the chemical. compositions of both samples with a one-stage difference in terms of the presence / absence of organic remains.

First intermediate conclusion:

- the limestone of the blocks during construction underwent a certain impact, the consequences of which were the disappearance / dissolution of organic remains along the path of the block material from the quarry to the place of laying into the wall. A peculiar "magic" transformation, which, in all likelihood, taking into account all the available facts, did take place.

Let's consider carefully - what do we have in stock? In fact, the composition of the studied samples points to a direct analogy with marly limestones … Marly limestones are sedimentary rocks of clay-carbonate composition, and CaCO3 is contained in such a size of 25-75%. The rest is the percentage of clays, impurities and fine sand. In our case, fine sand and clay are contained in insignificant quantities. This is confirmed by the experiment with the decomposition of a piece of the sample with acetic acid, when a very negligible amount of impurities falls out in the insoluble residue. Consequently, silicon dioxide, instead of fine sand (which does not dissolve in acetic acid), is represented by amorphous silicic acid and amorphous silica, which were once contained in the original solution along with precipitated calcium carbonate and other components.

As you know, marls are the main raw material for producing cements. The so-called "natural marls" are used in the manufacture of cements in their pure form - without the introduction of mineral additives and additives, since they already have all the necessary properties and the appropriate composition.

It should also be noted that in ordinary marls in the insoluble residue, the content of silica (SiO2) exceeds the amount of sesquioxides by no more than 4 times. For marls with a silicate modulus (SiO2: R2O3 ratio) greater than 4 and composed of opal structures, the term “siliceous” is used. Opal structures in our case are presented in the form of amorphous silicic acid - silicon dioxide hydrate (SiO2 * nH2O).

Silicon dioxide hydrate composes such a rock as flasks (the old Russian name is siliceous marl). Opoka is a rock solid and resounding upon impact. This characteristic correlates well with experiments on impact on the blocks of the Sacsayhuaman fortress. When tapping with a stone, the blocks ring in a peculiar way.

An excerpt from the commentary of one of the researchers of the ISIDA project, who participated in an expedition to conduct georadar research on the cause of the destruction of the walls of the Sacsayhuaman fortress in Peru, gives a clear description of this:

“… It was completely unexpected to find that some small blocks of limestone, when tapped, emit a melodic ringing. The sound is intoned (has a well-readable pitch, i.e. notes), reminiscent of metal strikes. It is possible that many blocks sound like this if they are placed in a certain position (suspended, for example). Even the thought came that the Sacsayhuaman blocks would make a good and very unusual sounding musical instrument. (I. Alekseev)

However, flask is a rock consisting mostly of silicon dioxide with minor inclusions of various impurities (including CaO). It would not be entirely correct to apply the classification of flasks to limestones and the material of the blocks of the walls of the Sacsayhuaman fortress, since the main component in the percentage of the considered rock, according to sample analyzes, is just calcium oxide (CaO).

Calculation of the silicate modulus (SiO2: R2O3):

- according to the results of analyzes of a sample from a "quarry", gives a value equal to 7, 9 units, indicating the involvement of the studied samples in the group of "siliceous" limestones;

- for the material of blocks, respectively, is a value of 7, 26 units.

The rock in question, represented by the material of the blocks of the walls of the Sacsayhuaman fortress, can be characterized as "silica limestone" (according to the classification of GI Teodorovich), and as "microsparit" (according to the classification of R. Folk).

The rock from the so-called "quarry" can be characterized as "organogenic micrite" mixed with "pellmicrite" (according to the classification of R. Folk).

Returning to marls, we note that in addition to raw materials for the production of cements, marls are also used to obtain hydraulic lime. Hydraulic lime is obtained by firing marly limestones at temperatures of 900 ° -1100 ° C, without bringing the composition to sintering (i.e., in comparison with the production of cements, there is no clinker). During firing, carbon dioxide (CO2) is removed to form a mixed composition of silicates: 2CaO * SiO2, aluminates:

CaO * Al2O3, ferrates: 2CaO * Fe2O3, which, in fact, contribute to the special stability of hydraulic lime in a humid environment after hardening and petrification in air. Hydraulic lime is characterized by the fact that it turns to stone both in air and in water, differing from ordinary air lime in less plasticity and much greater strength.

It is used in places exposed to water and moisture. The relationship between the calcareous and clayey parts, together with oxides, affects the special properties of such a composition. This relationship is expressed by the hydraulic module. Calculation of the hydraulic modulus, according to the data obtained from the analyzes of samples from

Sacsayhuamana, represented by the following results:

m =% CaO:% SiO2 +% Al2O3 +% Fe2O3 +% TiO2 +% MnO +% MgO +% K2O

- according to the sample taken from the masonry, the value of the modulus: m = 4, 2;

-on the sample taken from the so-called "quarry": m = 4, 35.

To determine the properties and classifications of hydraulic lime, the following modulus value ranges are adopted:

- 1, 7-4, 5 (for highly hydraulic limes);

- 4, 5-9 (for weakly hydraulic limes).

In this case, we have the modulus value = 4, 2 (for the material of the wall blocks) and 4, 35 (for the material from the "quarry"). The result obtained can be characterized as for "medium-hydraulic" lime with a bias towards strong-hydraulic.

For highly hydraulic lime, hydraulic properties and a rapid increase in strength are especially pronounced. The higher the value of the hydraulic module, the faster and more completely the hydraulic lime is slaked off. Accordingly, the lower the value of the modulus - the reactions are less pronounced and are defined for weakly hydraulic limes.

In our case, the modulus value is average, which means a completely normal rate of both quenching and hardening, which is quite appropriate for carrying out a complex of construction work on the construction of the walls of the Sacsayhuaman fortress without the need to involve high-tech research and tools.

When quicklime (heat-treated limestone) is combined with water (H2O), it is quenched - the anhydrous minerals of the composition of the mixture are converted into hydroaluminates, hydrosilicates, hydroferrates, and the mass itself into lime dough. The slaking reaction of both air and hydraulic lime proceeds with the release of heat (exothermic). The resulting slaked lime Ca (OH) 2, reacting with the CO2 of the air ((Ca (OH) 2 + Co2 = CaCO3 + H2O)) and the composition of the group (SiO2 + Al2O3 + Fe2O3) * nH2O, upon solidification and crystallization turns into a very durable and waterproof mass.

When slaking both hydraulic and air lime, depending on the slaking time, the quantitative composition of the water and many other factors, a certain percentage of "unslaked" CaO grains remains in the lime dough. These grains can be extinguished after a long time with a sluggish reaction, after the mass has been petrified, forming microvoids and cavities, or separate inclusions. Especially such processes are susceptible to near-surface rock layers interacting with aggressive environmental influences, in particular, water or moisture containing various alkalis and acids.

Presumably, such formations, caused by unquenched grains of calcium oxide, can be observed on the blocks of the walls of the Sacsayhuaman fortress in the form of white dots-inclusions:

Empirically, when mixing quicklime with finely dispersed silicon dioxide in appropriate percentages, followed by quenching and forming forms from the resulting dough, after solidification of the samples, pronounced strength and moisture resistance were established in comparison with ordinary lime (without the addition of finely dispersed silicon dioxide).

The noted moisture resistance also affects the absence of adhesion of an already frozen sample with a newly prepared mass, laid close to form a gapless seam. Subsequently, upon solidification, the samples are easily separated, completely without showing solidity in conjugation. When the samples solidify, their surfaces become noticeably shiny, similar to polishing, which is most likely due to the presence of amorphous silicic acid in the solution, which forms a silicate film in combination with CaCO3.

Second intermediate conclusion:

- Sacsayhuaman wall blocks are made of hydraulic lime dough obtained by thermal action on Peruvian limestones. At the same time, it is worth noting the property of any lime (both hydraulic and air) - an increase in the mass of quicklime in volume when quenched with water - swelling. Depending on the composition, it is possible to obtain a volume increase of 2-3 times.

Possible methods of thermal action on limestones

The temperature required for calcining limestone at 900 ° -1100 ° C can be obtained in several available ways:

- when lava is ejected from the bowels of the planet (this implies close contact of limestone strata directly with lava);

- at the very explosion of the volcano, when minerals are burned and ejected under the pressure of gases into the atmosphere in the form of ash and volcanic bombs;

- with direct reasonable human intervention with the use of targeted thermal exposure (technological approach).

Studies by volcanologists show that the temperature of lava pouring onto the planet's surface fluctuates in the range of 500 ° -1300 ° C. In our case (for firing limestone), lavas with a substance temperature ranging from 800 ° -900 ° C are of interest. These lavas include, first of all, silicon lavas. The SiO2 content in such lavas ranges from 50-60%. With an increase in the percentage of silicon oxide, lava becomes viscous and, accordingly, spreads to a lesser extent over the surface, well warming up the rock strata adjacent to it, at a slight distance from the exit point, directly contacting and alternating with outer layers with accompanying limestone deposits.

The same "throne of the Inca", carved out in one of the "streams" of the Rodadero rock, may well be represented by silicified limestone with a high percentage of silica and alumina content, or flask, the crystallization of which occurred in a completely different way, in comparison with clearly different from the main rock a layer covering Rodadero's "streams". Accordingly, this assumption requires separate analyzes and detailed study of the formation itself.

The presented formation is located in close proximity to the object under study and in all respects is quite suitable for the role of a "thermoelement" that once heated the limestone strata to the required temperature. This very formation is formed by a bizarre-looking rock that ripped open and scattered limestone strata in different directions from the injection site, having previously warmed them up to high temperatures.

According to some reports, this rock is represented by porphyry augite-diorite (which, as you know, is based on silicon dioxide (SiO2 - 55-65%)), which is part of plagioclases (CaAl2Si2O8, or NaAlSi3O8). The main stake, apparently, should be made on the plagioclase of the anorthite series CaAl2Si2O8.

The frozen "streams" of Rodadero are not limited only to the injection site, but continue among the strata and under the limestone massifs of the area. The study of this formation has not been completed and requires additional research and analysis, however, all signs of the effect of high temperatures (about 1000 ° C) are evident.

Accordingly, the limestone heated and burnt in this way (the resulting quicklime hydraulic lime), when it reacts with rain, geyser, reservoir, or water in a different state of aggregation (steam), immediately turns into lime dough (extinguished). Crystallization and petrification occurs according to the previously discussed scenario.

It should be noted that in this case, it is the reaction with water that transforms the fired raw material into a finely dispersed mass (no preliminary grinding into powder is required). Accordingly, during thermal action followed by quenching, destruction of all organogenic inclusions occurs, producing the same "magic transformation" by recrystallization from organogenic limestone to fine-crystalline one.

With the right approach, lime dough can be stored for years without allowing it to air dry. A striking example of hardened lime dough is the well-known so-called "plasticine stones", on which the surface is often processed, or a layer, "skin" has been removed - which goes well with the assumption that the entire mass of the "boulder" is heated as a whole, when the near-surface areas have been exposed to better thermal effect than the core. Most likely, this was the reason for the appearance of such specific traces - through the selection of plastic dough to the depth of unheated layers that remained intact and were not used to the end, petrified and preserved traces of impact to this day.

Another analogous possibility for obtaining lime dough can be volcanic ashes, the particle size of which and the mineralogical composition differ significantly, depending on the rocks that make up the geological horizons of the regions of volcanic activity. And the finer the particles of such ash, the more plastic the dough will turn out, and crystallization and petrification will end with increased rates. It was found that ash particles can reach a size of 0.01 microns. In comparison with these data, the fine dispersion of grinding particles of modern cements is only 15-20 microns.

The fine dispersion of volcanic ash particles, when combined with moisture, forms a mineral dough, which, depending on the composition and conditions, either spreads on the soil and mixes with the latter, forms a fertile cover, or, upon solidification, forms stone-like surfaces and masses of various shapes when accumulating in crevices and lowlands. On the surfaces of such formations, various traces often remain, revealing to researchers various information at the time of solidification and crystallization of the composition of the mass.

But the version with volcanic ash in this case does not explain in any way the presence of deposits from organic remains in the limestones of the so-called "quarry".

Naturally, one should not discount the human factor (in terms of thermal effect on limestone). With a skillfully folded fire, you can reach temperatures of 600 ° -700 ° C, or even all 1000 ° C.

Note that the combustion temperature of wood is about 1100 ° C, coal - about 1500 ° C. In this case, for firing and holding at a high temperature, it is necessary to build special "ovens", which is not a particular problem for both ancient peoples and modern times. Naturally, more detailed studies will show what exactly caused the thermal effect on the investigated limestones - human or natural factors, but the fact remains - recrystallization from organogenic siliceous limestone into fine-crystalline siliceous limestone, which we can observe in the blocks of the walls of the Sacsayhuaman fortress, in ordinary conditions over time - exactly what is impossible. For the recrystallization process, prolonged exposure to temperatures of the order of 1000 ° C is necessary, followed by mixing the resulting quicklime analog of hydraulic lime with water and forming a slaked lime dough. Taking into account the above facts and all of the above, the plastic "plasticine" of the blocks no longer raises doubts. The technology of laying raw lime dough with hydraulic lime stuffed into large blocks is completely subject to the peoples of the ancient world. Moreover, in this case, the need to use high-tech equipment and fantastic tools completely disappears, as well as the manual backbreaking labor of gouging and dragging building materials to the construction site in the form of non-lifting blocks.