Chankillo, Archaeological site in Casma, Peru.
Chankillo is an archaeological site in Peru's coastal desert featuring thirteen stone towers positioned in a line along a ridge spanning roughly four kilometers. The towers are part of a larger complex that includes buildings, walls, and open areas arranged as a unified structure.
Built around 400 BC, the site served an early Andean society as an observation point for tracking the sun's path throughout the year. Its construction shows that builders understood solar movements and encoded this knowledge into the structure.
The thirteen towers reflect advanced astronomical knowledge developed by an ancient coastal society long before the Inca empire. This understanding of sky movements guided decisions about farming and ceremonial life.
The best time to visit is the dry season from April to October when weather is stable and clear. Bring water, sun protection, and sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven and the sun is strong.
The towers function as a giant calendar: on specific dates, the sun casts shadows on precise points that mark the seasons. This system allowed residents to know with striking accuracy when important times of year arrived.
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