Archaeologists in Peru have identified a massive ceremonial complex consisting of 13 stone towers designed to track the solar cycle with pinpoint accuracy. Located on a ridge in the Ancash region, the site predates the Inca Empire by nearly 800 years. The towers were positioned to align with the rising and setting sun during the summer and winter solstices, serving as a communal calendar for agricultural planning.
Excavations at the base of the towers revealed evidence of large-scale feasting and ritual offerings, including spondylus shells and finely crafted ceramics. This discovery highlights the advanced astronomical knowledge of the Chavin culture and their ability to integrate celestial movements into their socio-political architecture.