Talk abstract details
Lunar Standstill Markers at Preceramic Temples at the Buena Vista Site in Peru
Abstract
NOTE: This is an addendum to a solicited paper to be presented at this conference(Temples with Multiple Alignments, Buena Vista, Peru by Robert Benfer and Larry Adkins). Recently, we have made some new advances on this project. Here we present arguments that markers at the site identify lunar standstills.
ABSTRACT
The Buena Vista, Peru stepped-platform pyramid complex, recently shown to be oriented with the December solstice, also contains markers which identify lunar standstill seasons. Both of the two principle observing centers in the complex, the Temple of the Fox and the Temple of the Menacing Disk, are aligned with horizon markers which identify the onset of major and minor standstill seasons. The markers consist of worked rocks and natural platforms. This apparent interest in lunar standstill phenomena is consistent with the ethnographic, ethonistoric, and archaeological findings in other areas of the Americas including Andean Peru and the Mayan areas of Mesoamerica.
ABSTRACT
The Buena Vista, Peru stepped-platform pyramid complex, recently shown to be oriented with the December solstice, also contains markers which identify lunar standstill seasons. Both of the two principle observing centers in the complex, the Temple of the Fox and the Temple of the Menacing Disk, are aligned with horizon markers which identify the onset of major and minor standstill seasons. The markers consist of worked rocks and natural platforms. This apparent interest in lunar standstill phenomena is consistent with the ethnographic, ethonistoric, and archaeological findings in other areas of the Americas including Andean Peru and the Mayan areas of Mesoamerica.