Language: English

Live stream event from Peru, hosted by JIMMY S.: Licensed Tour Guide since 2005, expert in history and archeology.

Summary

• LIVE Walk Archaeoastronomy in Ollantaytambo
• Live Q&A
• Closed Captioning Available
• Contents suitable for children

Description

Join Jimmy on this journey to the living town of the Incas: enjoy this special itinerary to discover the astronomical knowledge of the Incas in Ollantaytambo!

Since the Sun was the primary deity of the Incas, it is reasonable that many huacas (shrines) were associated with solar worship.
In the early 16th Century there were over 400 huacas in the Cusco Valley.
Most were destroyed by the Spaniards, but those that remain primarily were the huacas that had been designed in rock.
Many huacas were orientated to the June solstice sunrise, while others pointed to the Sun at December solstice.
Light tubes or cave openings allowed altars to be illuminated at specific times while other orientations guide the eye to the horizon on significant solar dates.
Pillars were set on hills to mark the passage of the Sun on the horizon as a calendar. The Incas learned the cycles of solstices and equinoxes and used this knowledge as a key component of their annual crop management activities.

In a practical sense this knowledge was put to work via horizon astronomy as the Incas marked the passage of sunrises and sunsets on their horizons in order to keep time for agriculture and religion.
Ultimately these celestial orientations were integrated into their temples and huacas, as well as other constructs such as solar pillars built more specifically for astronomical purposes.

ATTENTION:

⛈️ In case of adverse weather conditions, the walking tour will be canceled and rescheduled without notice.