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Speculation on Incan wall building technique: the paper maché hypothesis

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The Incas used
bronze chisels, hammerstones, and a deep understanding of stone cutting. They fit stones so tightly, even a knife can’t slip between them. Their ashlar masonry made structures strong without mortar.”

Figure 1. Cuzco Incan wall animation. Everything centers on the odd shaped ‘artistic’ stone in the middle. Note the big gaps in the stone at the lower right. Someone said, ‘we must do better than this’. ” data-image-caption=”

Figure 1. Cuzco Incan wall animation. Everything centers on the odd shaped ‘artistic’ stone in the middle. Note the big gaps in the stone at the lower right. Someone said, ‘we must do better than this’.

” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/inca.wall_.animation588.gif?w=300″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/inca.wall_.animation588.gif?w=584″ class=”size-full wp-image-94360″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/inca.wall_.animation588.gif” alt=”Figure 1. Cuzco Incan wall animation. Everything centers on the odd shaped ‘artistic’ stone in the middle. Note the big gaps in the stone at the lower right. Someone said, ‘we must do better than this’. ” width=”584″ height=”333″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/inca.wall_.animation588.gif?w=584&h=333 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/inca.wall_.animation588.gif?w=150&h=85 150w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/inca.wall_.animation588.gif?w=300&h=171 300w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/inca.wall_.animation588.gif 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />

Figure 1. Cuzco Incan wall animation. Everything centers on the odd shaped ‘artistic’ stone in the middle. Note the big gaps in the stone at the lower right. Someone said, ‘we can and must do better than this’.

According to thetravel.com
“They [the stone boulders] fit so meticulously that paper cannot be put between them.”

Maybe the answer is in the question.

Figure 2. Paper maché and wood frame to hold shape. These are disposable. ” data-image-caption=”

Figure 2. Paper maché and wood frame to hold shape. These are disposable.

” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/inca.wall_.papermache588-1.gif?w=300″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/inca.wall_.papermache588-1.gif?w=584″ class=”size-full wp-image-94364″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/inca.wall_.papermache588-1.gif” alt=”Figure 2. Paper maché and wood frame to hold shape. These are disposable.” width=”584″ height=”333″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/inca.wall_.papermache588-1.gif?w=584&h=333 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/inca.wall_.papermache588-1.gif?w=150&h=85 150w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/inca.wall_.papermache588-1.gif?w=300&h=171 300w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/inca.wall_.papermache588-1.gif 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />

Figure 2. Paper maché and wood frame to hold shape. These are disposable. Note the parallel lateral sides of this keystone. Most paper maché shapes would have been simpler to produce. See figure 1.

Here’s a thought = hypothesis:
What if the Incas used paper maché to fashion shapes around chiseled stones already set in place (Fig 2)? Then used those lightweight and disposable shapes as their guide to chiseling the next and neighboring  stones, off to the side, on the surrounding plateau.

Once in a while Incan architects added odd 10-sided stones (Figs 1, 2) to anchor elements together while showing off their design and engineering skills.

Has the paper maché mold idea surfaced earlier?
If so let me know and I will promote that citation and its contents here.

References
thetravel.com/what-to-know-about-cusco-inca-walls-peru/


Source: https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/2025/09/02/speculation-on-incan-wall-building-technique-the-paper-mache-hypothesis/


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  • HTLIII

    ThisworksforthepyramidsatGizaalso.whichuntilrentlyhavebeenprotedtedfromdrillinganedothertests.Haulingaround50tonstonesin125degreeheat,carryingthemup400feetosramp?Thatdogdon’thunt.

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