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Inca astronomy: Horizon, light, and shadow
Author(s) -
Gullberg S. R.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
astronomische nachrichten
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.394
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1521-3994
pISSN - 0004-6337
DOI - 10.1002/asna.201913553
Subject(s) - solstice , equinox , shadow (psychology) , zenith , astronomy , indigenous , suns in alchemy , history , geology , physics , remote sensing , psychology , psychotherapist , ecology , biology , latitude
The Incas worshipped the Sun, with light and shadow effects in their constructs commonly denoting such events as the solstices and equinoxes. They also honored and venerated many features of both natural and man‐made landscapes, which they felt to be endowed with superhuman powers. In Quechua, these shrines were known as huacas , and at the time of the Spanish conquest there were thousands of them. Soon after subduing the Inca empire, the Spaniards began a campaign against the indigenous religion, which included a systematic eradication of huacas. Shrines that were large carved stones and outcroppings survived, however, and were subjects of this research for astronomical orientations marking significant solar events. Examples of Inca astronomy are explored in this paper. The approach is a holistic one in that it considers multiples levels of meaning including cultural motifs, topographic and astronomical contexts, sightlines, as well as light and shadow effects throughout the year, especially at times of the solstice, equinox, zenith, and anti‐zenith suns. Astronomy was thoroughly interwoven throughout many facets of Inca society.