In the high-altitude plains of the Atacama Desert, researchers have identified a complex of geoglyphs and stone circles that functioned as a highly accurate astronomical calendar. Dated to approximately 800 CE, the arrangement was used to predict the cycles of the moon and the onset of the limited rainfall seasons crucial for Andean agriculture.
The 'Saywas' (stone markers) are perfectly aligned with the peaks of distant volcanoes, serving as sighting lines for zenith passages of the sun. This discovery emphasizes the advanced mathematical and astronomical knowledge possessed by pre-Inca desert-dwelling communities in South America.
