Which of these famous sites doubled as an astronomical observatory?
Angkor Wat
Roman Forum
Machu Picchu
Pantheon
The Answer: The correct answer is Machu Picchu.
Which of these famous sites doubled as an astronomical observatory?
Angkor Wat
Roman Forum
Machu Picchu
Pantheon
The Answer: The correct answer is Machu Picchu.
Inti, the ancient Incan sun god, is likely the reason why the Incas were captivated by astronomy. Machu Picchu wasn’t just a citadel set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Andes, it also doubled as an astronomical observatory. Using a window in the Temple of the Sun that aligned with the Sun, ancient Incas were able to determine the beginning of the summer solstice and winter solstice so that they could schedule the empire’s planting season. Their observations about constellations were also unlike any ancient civilization’s before them. The Incas spent evenings observing the constellations and naming them, carefully analyzing any change in the stars’ brightness.