Display Settings:

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination
We are sorry, but NCBI web applications do not support your browser and may not function properly. More information
    Science. 2007 Mar 2;315(5816):1239-43.

    Chankillo: a 2300-year-old solar observatory in coastal Peru.

    Source

    Instituto Nacional de Cultura, Avenida Javier Prado Este 2465, Lima 41, Peru. ighezzi@yahoo.com

    Abstract

    The Thirteen Towers of Chankillo run north to south along a low ridge within a fourth-century B.C.E. 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-almost exactly-the annual rising and setting arcs of the Sun. The Chankillo towers thus provide evidence of early solar horizon observations and of the existence of sophisticated Sun cults, preceding the Sun pillars of Incaic Cusco by almost two millennia.

    Comment in

    PMID:
    17332405
    [PubMed]
    Free full text

      Supplemental Content

      Icon for HighWire

      Save items

      Recent activity

      Your browsing activity is empty.

      Activity recording is turned off.

      Turn recording back on

      See more...
      Write to the Help Desk