Peru: UNESCO declares Sangilo World Heritage Site, America’s oldest astronomical complex International

“We’re so excited!” The first reaction of Rosario Oliva, the cultural officer of the Ankash region UNESCO The Sanchillo Archaeological Complex and Astronomical Observatory is listed as a World Heritage Site in Cosma, a coastal and desert province about 300 kilometers north of Lima, which has been plagued by illegal crops since antiquity. According to archaeologist Evan Kessie, the main promoter of the listing of Sangilo World Heritage, The ancient Peruvians made astronomical observations 2,000 years ago and built this complex to worship the sun, the main deity of the pre-Hispanic world.

Considered the oldest solar observatory in the United States, San Francisco is connected to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Peruvian region of Anuwash: the Chavan Archaeological Complex (1985) and part of the Inca Trail or Huascaran Park (2014) declared to Oliva.

Culture Minister Alejandro Neira on Tuesday stressed that the UNESCO announcement would make the province of Cosma “one-stop-shop” in a single day. Carol, the continent’s oldest sacred city near the Astronomical Observatory, was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2009, and is surrounded by Chechen architectural complex.

The astronomical complex at Cosma has a series of constructions built on a desert landscape and with natural features that “act as a perfect solar calendar, using markers that allow us to observe the movement of the sun on the horizon throughout the year.” ‘S file UNESCO.

Archaeologist Casey is a new example of the “technology and creativity” possessed by the ancient Peruvians. The complex is known as the Fort Temple which is surrounded by three walls on top of a hill. In addition, there is a public place of observation and ritual and thirteen towers, which mark the path of the sun on the top of another mountain. Zero Mucho Malo, the natural indicator of the astronomical site, is a complement to the towers.

According to Kessie’s research, measurements of equinoxes, solstices and any date of the year had only one or two days on the verge of error using the solar cycle and an artificial horizon. Archaeologist says UNESCO has recognized the site as a masterpiece not only in astronomy but also in engineering and architecture. Radio shows. “Sangilo is the cradle of the astronomical field to measure the path of the sun,” he promised. According to the Ministry of Culture, the chain was one of two places in the ancient world that connected a full solar calendar.

Illegal crops and invasions

Oliva, head of Ankash’s Directorate of Cultural Affairs, told the newspaper that UNESCO recognition would help “seek greater economic support, generate interest in the archaeological site and the commitment of the people of the area, where in addition there are illegal crops,” invasions of boy houses “. In May last year, in the midst of an epidemic, farmers invaded the archeological site, planting mango trees and digging a 15-meter-deep water well, Kessie said. In the Cosma Valley, where Sangilo is located, there are some agricultural exporters from the Andean country.

The Ministry of Culture and the Police acted swiftly to remove crops from the campus because one of the criteria assessed by UNESCO was the management ability of citizens of the state and neighboring areas to add World Heritage sites. The archaeologist then warned the locals to invade him, not the authorities.

Ankash Cultural Officer explains that the excavations carried out by Kessy over the past decade have been funded by UNESCO’s proposal to recognize Sangilo World Monuments Fund, Cosma Municipality funded the team that prepared the management plan for the archeological site, consisting of geologists, surveyors and environmentalists. The municipality also bears the costs of security guards, although they are not considered adequate. “The area is huge and needs more support to promote tourism in the area,” he said.

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