http://www.newsweek.com/lake-titicaca-ancient-ritual-treasure-sunken-1381800 > Typical Tiwanaku-Period offering in the Khoa reef. Teddy Seguin Share Tech & ScienceAn underwater excavation of Bolivia’s Lake Titicaca has revealed extensive ritual offerings made by the early elite during the founding stages of the Tiwanaku state—a civilization established around 1,500 years ago that served as a major precursor to the Incan Empire. > Tiwanaku was based in the southern Lake Titicaca Basin. At its peak, its population was estimated to have been between 10,000 and 20,000. Scientists have now found out more about how this society emerged and thrived for almost 500 years.