Description

The eastern face of Building A (the Castillo) has the Black and White Gate at its center. Like the Black and White Staircase, it is constructed of white granite and black limestone columns and blocks divided evenly along an axis. Carvings in the stone depict zoomorphic figures, most likely with religious connotations. The southern granite column has a carved depiction of a feline-avian figure, possibly female, and the northern column depicts what may be its male counterpart. Depictions of duality such as this are common, and a consistent undercurrent in Andean art.

Media Id: media_CDH_20070928_145440 Date Uploaded: 2007-09-28 14:54:40 Points: 658144