Peru: Chanquillo Archaelogical Site

Chanquillo is another important archaelogical site and a UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Peru, this one is much less accessible or excavated than many others. It was constructed around 250–200 BC and is the earliest known astronomical observatory in the Americas. The most famous component of the complex is the Thirteen Towers – a row of 13 stone towers spaced at regular intervals, stretching about 300m along the crest of hill. They acted as a monumental solar calendar, creating a “toothed” horizon, and,when viewed from two specific observation points, could track the sun’s progressive move along the horizon throughout the entire year – allowed for determination of the date with an accuracy of just one or two day – making it a full calendar! Another structure is Fortified Temple – a large hilltop fortress encircled by three thick walls, most likely used for rituals. Getting here requires driving on deep sand roads and the last part is straight through a roadless desert – a true adventure. A town north from the site has a museum with some of the archaeological find from Chanquillo.