The archaeological site of Tiwanaku was built at 13,000 feet above sea level in the Altiplano of the Bolivian Andes.
Marvels of the New World —
The archaeological site of Tiwanaku was built at 13,000 feet above sea level in the Altiplano of the Bolivian Andes.
AIZAR RALDES/AFP/Getty Images
A view of the Kalasasaya temple in the archaeological site at Tiwanaku hints at the civilization that thrived here between 500 and 900 A.D.
Marvels of the New World —
A view of the Kalasasaya temple in the archaeological site at Tiwanaku hints at the civilization that thrived here between 500 and 900 A.D.
AIZAR RALDES/AFP/Getty Images
Tourists walk among the Akapana ruins at the archaeological site of Tiwanaku.
Marvels of the New World —
Tourists walk among the Akapana ruins at the archaeological site of Tiwanaku.
AIZAR RALDES/AFP/Getty Images
Sandstone formations make up the badlands of Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada.
Marvels of the New World —
Sandstone formations make up the badlands of Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada.
DeAgostini/Getty Image
A fossilized bone can be seen exposed on the ground at Dinosaur Provincial Park.
Marvels of the New World —
A fossilized bone can be seen exposed on the ground at Dinosaur Provincial Park.
courtesy dinosaur provincial park
Changing light creates spectacular effects across the landscape of Dinosaur Provincial Park.
Marvels of the New World —
Changing light creates spectacular effects across the landscape of Dinosaur Provincial Park.
courtesy dinosaur provincial park
The Mayan temples at Tikal poke above the treeline in the Petén department of Guatemala.
Marvels of the New World —
The Mayan temples at Tikal poke above the treeline in the Petén department of Guatemala.
JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP/Getty Images
The pyramids at Tikal were probably built between 250 and 900 AD and situated to correspond with the position of the sun.
Marvels of the New World —
The pyramids at Tikal were probably built between 250 and 900 AD and situated to correspond with the position of the sun.
HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images
Tikal National Park also encompasses Uaxactún -- once a separate city -- as well as nearly 55,000 acres of rainforest that add to its beauty and mystery.
Marvels of the New World —
Tikal National Park also encompasses Uaxactún -- once a separate city -- as well as nearly 55,000 acres of rainforest that add to its beauty and mystery.
JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP/Getty Images
Monte Albán in Oaxaca, Mexico, is a marvel of urban planning, especially when you consider that the Olmecs -- and later the Zapotecs -- who built it did so by carving its terraced landscape out of the mountainside.
Marvels of the New World —
Monte Albán in Oaxaca, Mexico, is a marvel of urban planning, especially when you consider that the Olmecs -- and later the Zapotecs -- who built it did so by carving its terraced landscape out of the mountainside.
DEA / G. DAGLI ORTI/De Agostini/Getty Images
Monte Alban was built to be grand, from the ceremonial pyramids to the stadium surrounding the ball court (seen here).
Marvels of the New World —
Monte Alban was built to be grand, from the ceremonial pyramids to the stadium surrounding the ball court (seen here).
Felix Modestin Jr.//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
The Olmec civilization is known for colossal stone heads like this one seen at Parque Museo La Venta in Villahermosa, Mexico.
Marvels of the New World —
The Olmec civilization is known for colossal stone heads like this one seen at Parque Museo La Venta in Villahermosa, Mexico.
DeAgostini/Getty Images
Visitors will find more than 30 Olmec sculptures, including three 20-ton heads, at Parque Museo La Venta in Villahermosa.
Marvels of the New World —
Visitors will find more than 30 Olmec sculptures, including three 20-ton heads, at Parque Museo La Venta in Villahermosa.
DeAgostini/Getty Images
The capital of the Chimú culture, Chan Chan in Peru, probably dates back to before 850 A.D. This is a ceremonial hall known as Tschudi Palace.
Marvels of the New World —
The capital of the Chimú culture, Chan Chan in Peru, probably dates back to before 850 A.D. This is a ceremonial hall known as Tschudi Palace.
DEA/G. DAGLI ORTI/De Agostini/Getty Images
A detail of a low relief on the Temple of La Huaca del Dragon in Chan Chan is seen here.
Marvels of the New World —
A detail of a low relief on the Temple of La Huaca del Dragon in Chan Chan is seen here.
DeAgostini/Getty Images
Cahokia Mounds looks like a grouping of giant lumps in the earth built by the Mississippian culture more than 1,000 years ago near what is now Collinsville, Illinois.
Marvels of the New World —
Cahokia Mounds looks like a grouping of giant lumps in the earth built by the Mississippian culture more than 1,000 years ago near what is now Collinsville, Illinois.
courtesy Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
Monks Mound is seen here at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site.
Marvels of the New World —
Monks Mound is seen here at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site.
courtesy Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
A pottery exhibit displays some of the items found in the mounds.
Marvels of the New World —
A pottery exhibit displays some of the items found in the mounds.
courtesy Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
A guided tour at Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site in Texas pauses at the base of Fate Bell Shelter whose walls and ceiling contain dozens of figures painted by Paleo Indians several thousands years ago.
Marvels of the New World —
A guided tour at Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site in Texas pauses at the base of Fate Bell Shelter whose walls and ceiling contain dozens of figures painted by Paleo Indians several thousands years ago.
Rob McCorkle/Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
This is a pictograph found at Seminole State Historical Park.
Marvels of the New World —
This is a pictograph found at Seminole State Historical Park.
Fotosearch RF/Getty Images