Abstract
So far, scientists have not investigated thoroughly if and for what purpose the Incas observed the Moon. As far as the orientation of architectural structures is concerned, the researchers focus their attention almost entirely on the position of the Sun. However, a more accurate analysis of two well-known sites – the caves of Intimachay and Cusilluchayoc – may provide evidence of their function as observatories of the lunar 18.6-year cycle. Those results may confirm the hypothesis, presented some years ago, that the Incas had elaborated a rudimentary method of predicting lunar eclipses.
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Ziółkowski, M., Kościuk, J., Astete, F. (2015). Inca Moon: Some Evidence of Lunar Observations in Tahuantinsuyu. In: Ruggles, C. (eds) Handbook of Archaeoastronomy and Ethnoastronomy. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6141-8_81
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6141-8_81
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