The Torreón of Machu Picchu: an astronomical observatory?

Jacek Kościuk


Faculty of Architecture, Arts and Technology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (Poland)
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0623-8071

Mariusz Ziółkowski

mziolkowski@uw.edu.pl
Centre for Andean Studies, University of Warsaw (Poland)
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4137-0799

Abstract

The Torreón is one of the most emblematic buildings of Machu Picchu. Since 1929, different archaeoastronomical studies have been carried out on this building to verify its function as an astronomical observatory. The authors of the present text analyse in detail these hypotheses using a thorough survey of the structure created from 3D scans and digitised models. The analysis concludes that we can take as established evidence that the builders of the tower designed it according to some solar orientations, but without the purpose of erecting an astronomical observatory as was apparent in the cases of Intimachay and Inkaraqay.


Keywords:

Inca astronomy, Machu Picchu, 3D laser scanning

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Published
2020-12-30

Cited by

Kościuk, J., & Ziółkowski, M. (2020). The Torreón of Machu Picchu: an astronomical observatory?. Teka Komisji Architektury, Urbanistyki I Studiów Krajobrazowych, 16(4), 7–31. https://doi.org/10.35784/teka.2451

Authors

Jacek Kościuk 

Faculty of Architecture, Arts and Technology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0623-8071

Authors

Mariusz Ziółkowski 
mziolkowski@uw.edu.pl
Centre for Andean Studies, University of Warsaw Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4137-0799

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