Chanquillo
Chankillo or Chanquillo is an ancient monumental complex in the Peruvian coastal desert, found in the Casma-Sechin basin in the Ancash Department of Peru. The ruins include the hilltop Chankillo fort, the nearby Thirteen Towers solar observatory, and residential and gathering areas. The Thirteen Towers have been interpreted as an astronomical observatory built in the third century BC. The culture that produced Chankillo is called the Casma/Sechin culture or the Sechin Complex. The site was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in July 2021.
Chankillo | |
Thirteen Towers of Chankillo, viewed from the fortress | |
Shown within Peru | |
| Alternative name | Chanquillo |
|---|---|
| Location | Ancash Region, Peru |
| Coordinates | 09°33′24″S 78°14′09″W |
| Type | Fortified sanctuary |
| Part of | Casma/Sechin culture |
| Area | 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi) |
| History | |
| Founded | 250 BC |
| Site notes | |
| Archaeologists | Ivan Ghezzi |
| Ownership | Ministry of Culture of Peru |
| Management | Unidad Ejecutora Chankillo |
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Official name | Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex |
| Criteria | Cultural: (i)(iv) |
| Designated | 2021 (44th session) |
| Reference no. | 1624 |
The site covers about four square kilometres (1.5 square miles) and has been interpreted as a fortified temple.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.