Thursday, 31. August 2006
Ancient Observatories
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Many Native American sites throughout the Southwest United States offer a glimpse of the importance the sun played in religious practices and ceremonies. Pueblo Bonito is the most recognized and studied site in Chaco Canyon.

A National Monument since 1907, the 'great house' shows many of the distinctive architectural elements of pueblo architecture, including planned layouts, large rooms and many circular chambers known as kivas.


One of the most famous Incan cities in the world, sun alignments are found throughout Machu Picchu. Many features, including the Sacred Plaza, The Temple of Three Windows and The Intihuatana platform, align with the summer solstice azimuth of 65-245 degrees.

Scientists believe these alignments were primary considerations in the construction of the shrines. A shaft of light, shining through an east-facing window, reportedly illuminates The Torreon, or Temple of the Sun, during the summer solstice.

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Ancient Observatories: Satellite images of ancient observatory sites
Category: Astrology & Astronomy Category: Buildings & Places




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