The first solar observatory in the Americas may have been uncovered in coastal Peru. The ceremonial site provides evidence of sophisticated 'cults of the Sun' operating in South America as early as 2300 years ago.
Other ancient structures around the world, such as Stonehenge, which is estimated to be 5000 years old, are aligned with the rising and setting of the Sun on certain days called the solstices. These occur twice a year, around 22 June and 22 December, when the Sun appears to reach it’s highest point above or below the equator.
Previously, archaeologists had uncovered 4000-year-old gourd fragments in Peru showing images of a "staff god" with rays emanating from its head, perhaps like the Sun.
Historical records also describe "Sun pillars" suggesting that South America's Incan civilisation was observing the Sun, possibly to help mark when to plant crops, around 1500 AD, though those pillars have since been destroyed. The Incas also held public rituals to observe the Sun rise or set at marked positions on the horizon, and Incan leaders claimed authority to rule through kinship to the Sun.
Now, Ivan Ghezzi of the Instituto Nacional de Cultura in Lima, Peru, and Clive Ruggles of the University of Leicester, UK, say earlier civilisations in Peru may also have been observing the Sun as early as the fourth century BC.
2007-03-13 01:08:07
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answer #1
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answered by Hope Summer 6
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The first solar observatory in the Americas may have been uncovered in coastal Peru. The ceremonial site provides evidence of sophisticated 'cults of the Sun' operating in South America as early as 2300 years ago.
http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn11281-ancient-solar-observatory-discovered-in-peru.html
2007-03-12 14:38:53
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answer #2
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answered by snashraf 5
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It might be Blue Hills Observatory near Boston...It is the oldest weather observatory in the counntry...and I know Pankapog indians used this hill to decide when to sow and harvest.
Massachusetts means in Native American "Great Blue Hill"
They named it this becuase the hill looked blue from across the bay...Blue Hills is the highest point of the entire eastern seaboard...
Sorry if I got off topic, lol
2007-03-05 22:28:38
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answer #3
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answered by EJFX 3
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1947?
2007-03-06 16:54:55
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answered by Anonymous
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Man you are like......really smart and stuff. Where is Massachusetts?haha
2007-03-06 09:18:27
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answer #5
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answered by rybo510 4
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