When geologist Roseanne Chambers made her first visit to Machu Picchu in 2006, it sparked a deep fascination with the geology and culture of the Peruvian Andes. Amid the plethora of information available about the Andes Mountains, as well as the Incas and their ancestors, she was unable to find a book that specifically traced the geologic history of that landscape and how this history shaped ancient Andean societies. Consequently, she decided to write that book herself.

At once approachable and informative, The Monumental Andes tells the history of the lofty mountains and civilizations that characterize the Central Andes. The book explores many interconnected aspects of ancient Andean life, including climate, topography, agricultural methods, natural hazards, the construction of monumental structures, the creation of sophisticated art objects, and the plant-based hallucinogens and narcotics used in religious rituals. From earthquake-resistant structures to shrines on the tops of active volcanoes, ancient Andeans left behind relics that amaze and inspire today.