Tiwanaku is considered to be the most highly valued archaeological site in Bolivia, and one of the most significant in the New World. The aggressive environment at Tiwanaku is thought to have damaging effects on the stability of its stone architecture and monuments. In an effort to determine the nature of this impact, The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) collaborated with the Bolivian National Institute of Archaeology (INAR) to establish a body of environmental data on the conditions found on site. The objective of this data collection was to provide INAR with substantive information that would be of assistance as they proceed with plans to conserve and protect the monuments of Tiwanaku for the future.

An environmental monitoring station was installed at the Tiwanaku site by the GCI and the INAR to collect information for two years about the climatological effects with the highest potential for damaging the monuments: solar radiation, wind, air temperature, relative humidity, ground soil temperature, stone temperature, and precipitation. This report presents the basis for and results of the data collection for aiding conservators at Tiwanaku.