I remembered looking at a really cool structure that stands in Chankillo, Peru when we talked about archaeoastronomy in class. I was interested in its beginnings and uses, so I decided to read more about it. It is currently identified as the oldest ancient solar observatory in the Americas. Its alignments cover the entire solar year, which by looking at the structure is hard to conceive doing correctly. Scientists have found recorded accounts from the that depict practices of state-regulated sun worship during, which is why this structure would have such importance. Also in these accounts, it is mentioned that the towers were used to mark the rising or setting position of the sun at certain times of year.
The most impressive aspect of this site is that it was constructed in approximately the 4th century B.C.. For that civilization to have the means to construct such a structure by building 13 towers on a hillside that precisely match the position of the sun is extremely impressive.
This accomplishment of such an early civilization leads me to think about the current state of our civilization. We, like these early civilizations, are constantly innovating, but our society has become completely dependent upon technology. This technology has led to many great discoveries and achievements, but I believe we have lost some of the determination that these early societies possessed. Structures like the Chankillo observatory probably took years and years to construct with tedious observation and back breaking work. It saddens me to think that if we stumbled upon a project like this, there are not many people who would take on the task. I am not belittling the scientists of today because many of them are doing the hard tedious work I before mentioned, but I am more impressed with the will and drive shown by these early civilizations who did not have the luxury of modern technology.
davidastronomy 