Ancient Solar Observatory in Peru
Recently, archaeologists from Yale University have found what they believe is the oldest observatory in the Americas. The ancient ruins located in Chankillo, Peru, where the sun is believed to have adjustments for the entire year. During the 16th century, historical records show that sun worship and the observation was regulated by the Spanish government which had taken over these people. Interestingly, however, is the site back to 350 BC or thereabouts. The site consists of thirteen different columns, all arranged in a single file line at the top of a hill. The observation point is at the bottom of a hill, where the viewer can watch the sunrise and the pillars of correlation with each other. At the pillar to the left of the viewer is in the June solstice, while the pillar on the right at denotes December solstice. The pillar in the middle represents every equinox. According to one of the archaeologists who worked to find, research in America, and especially Peru, constantly pushing back the origins of civilization in America. He states, "In this case, it is 2300 years old Solar Observatory at Chankillo the earliest such structure identified and unlike all other sites contain adjustments that cover the entire solar year. It predates the European conquest of 1800 years and even precedes by about 500 years, the monuments of similar purpose built by the Mayans in Central America. "The thirteen towers and observation point are all housed in a heavily fortified structure with thick walls. Throughout the past it has been a mystery whether this structure, which covers several square miles, was a fort or a ceremonial center as a temple. Of course, the latest results suggest that this was more than likely a solar observatory. It has been known for decades that the ancient Maya and Inca civilizations driven "sun timing" or rather to observe the sun's position in the sky to determine the critical times of the year. Within a few hours start to study the place, archaeologists had data that showed that the outermost columns lined up with the two solstices. But it took years of field work to pinpoint the real intentionality of such placement. Clive Ruggles, a leading British authority on archeoastronomy who also worked on the site, said that "Chankillo gave a complete set of horizon markers - the thirteen Towers -. And two unique and indisputable observation points, the fact that, apart from these two points, the towers just span the sun rising and setting arcs provides the clearest possible indication that they were built specifically to facilitate sunrise and sunset observations throughout the seasonal year. "He later goes to say," Chankillo reflects well-developed astronomical principles, which suggests the original forms of astronomy must be quite older. "Source: Mark Abel," Peruvian citadel is site of earliest ancient Solar Observatory in Americas . Phyorg. URL: (http://www.physorg.com/news91988735)
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