One of the more highly speculative of the Bolivian writers, Señor Posnansky, of La Paz, believes that gigantic balsas were used in bringing ten-ton monoliths across the lake to Tiahuanaco.

The plastic concrete filling or beton which the shells are made to contain may be deposited between the slabs when any number of courses (according to convenience) have been built up, and when set practically forms with the solid work introduced a monolith, to which the face slabs are securely keyed.

I love these monoliths, so crudely imprinted With their stalwart, cleanly, frugal lives.

The marble pediment is supported by four tortoises, such as support the monoliths in the Piazza S. Maria Novella.