Ancient Peruvian Sun calendar declared UN heritage site

Issued on: 27/07/2021 - 19:28



The solar observatory of Chankillo in Peru, July 22, 2021 Janine Costa AFP/File
3 min
Casma (Peru) (AFP)

A 2,300-year-old solar observatory in Peru, a structure of 13 stone towers built atop a hill and used as a calendar, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site on Tuesday.

The Chankillo observatory, built by an ancient civilization about two millennia before the ascent of another well-known Sun cult -- the Inca empire -- allowed for remarkably accurate astronomical observations, according to recent studies.

The walled, hilltop ruins some 400 kilometers (250 miles) north of Lima had long puzzled scientists.

Then in 2007, a study in the journal Science proposed the sequence of towers erected between 200 and 300 BC "marked the summer and winter solstices" and that Chankillo "was in part a solar observatory."

Peruvian archaeologist Ivan Ghezzi, who co-authored that study with British colleague Clive Ruggles, told AFP the towers, erected "with great precision," were placed to mark different positions of the Sun "and therefore mark exact dates."

Their purpose was to time with astonishing accuracy the months, solstices and equinoxes -- the planting and harvesting seasons and religious holidays.

The structure works like a giant clock, marking the passage of time over the span of a year.

"Chankillo is a masterpiece of ancient Peruvians. A masterpiece of architecture, a masterpiece of technology and astronomy. It is the cradle of astronomy in America," Ghezzi told AFP on a visit to the site.

More:
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210727-ancient-peruvian-sun-calendar-declared-un-heritage-site

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Chankillo: (Observatory).

The Thirteen Towers of Chankillo run north to south along a low ridge within a fourth-century B.C. ceremonial complex in north coastal Peru. From evident observing points within the adjacent buildings to the west and east, they formed an artificial toothed horizon that spanned the annual rising and setting arcs of the Sun. (1)

At present, the culture that made them has not been named.

Chankillo: (Chanquillo)
Chankillo was a ceremonial centre and solar observatory located within an area of rock outcrops and sand ramps in the Casma-Sechin river valley of arid coastal Peru. Based on a combination of AMS radiocarbon dates and dendrochronological principles from wooden room lintels, the site was constructed between about 2,000 and 2,350 years ago.

Recent archaeoastronomical investigations suggest that the site was partly created to observe the movement of the sun through the solar year, from solstice to solstice. It can be seen on the photo below that all the buildings of the complex show an orientation towards the direction of the December solstice sunrise.



Structures at Chankillo include a 'fortified' temple, a ceremonial-civic area with buildings, a plaza, and storage facilities, and several smaller scattered buildings, within an area of about 4 square kilometres. A 300 meter long hilltop structure with massive walls, restricted gates and parapets is one of the most important component of Chankillo.

Artefacts associated with the buildings and plazas suggest a ceremonial function with recurring feasts at Chankillo. Ceramic panpipes, warrior figurines, serving vessels, and abundant maize and shellfish remains have been found as has rooms built to store corn beer. The ceremonial plaza was clearly intended for large groups of people, while the small viewing platforms were reserved for one or two elite individuals.

More:
http://www.ancient-wisdom.com/peruchankillo.htm

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Interesting computer visualization of the site:

https://alchetron.com/Chankillo