Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez granted USD 500,000 to back the diggings in the millennial city of Tiwanaku, dating back to 10 centuries, reported Thursday Bolivian President Evo Morales.

As quoted by AFP; Morales gave the local mayoralty the money sent by Chávez, who, according to the Bolivian ruler, had promised to back the site when he appeared on TV and radio show "Aló, Presidente" in May 2006.

"Companion Hugo Chávez undertook to support the diggings with USD 500,000," Morales said.

Tiwanaku, or Tiahuanaco, is one of the most ancient cultures in South America. It lasted 15 and half centuries, from 400 BC to 1175 AD. It was the capital city of a huge Andean state that stretched across nowaday's territories of Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.