Traces of Stoneworking on the Blocks of Sacsayhuamán: A Key to Understanding the Technology

Описание: This video examines the enigmatic white points on the blocks of Sacsayhuamán, showing that their distribution and microstructure cannot be explained by simple percussion techniques or natural weathering. By analyzing micritic fabrics, secondary alteration features, and fracture-related recrystallization, the text offers a data-driven interpretation of how the stone may have been intentionally weakened and subsequently restored through long-term geological processes.

This publication incorporates photographs and ideas kindly shared by:
Dolgiy E
Oxana Lüthi
Alekseev I (ombiofilms)
I sincerely thank them for their support.

References:
"Calcite sealing in a fractured geothermal reservoir: Insights from combined EBSD and chemistry mapping" McNamara, David D.;Lister, Aaron;Prior, Dave J
"Lithistid spicules in the sediments of the Turonian Variegated Shale in the Silesian Nappe, Polish Outer Carpathians" Szymon Okoński, Zbigniew Górny, Marta Bąk, Krzysztof Bąk
"The inception, growth and demise of a pelagic carbonate platform: Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous
of the Krížna Nappe in the Western Tatra Mountains" Renata Jach, Jacek Grabowski, Andrzej Gaździcki, Alfred Uchman

0:00 Introduction. Possible origins.
1:08 White spots — natural formations or not.
2:11 Spatial distribution.
2:36 The spots cannot be explained by percussion alone.
4:46 Internal structure.
5:14 Comparison with harder rock types.
5:33 Possible formation mechanisms.
7:34 The same processing methods applied to different rock types.
8:23 Excessive weathering — a result of processing?
9:00 Explanations available in publications.
10:27 Can stoneworking be explained by simple pounding?
11:32 Questions for the percussion-based method.
12:12 Conclusions.