The sky fascinated people even in prehistoric times. They even built huge, specialized structures to study celestial events. Would you like to learn about some of these structures that ancient people used as both observatories and temples?
Stonehenge
These stones belong to a structure known to have been built approximately 4000 years ago. Located in southern England, much of the structure has not survived to the present day. The surviving section consists of 17 stones placed vertically. The largest stone is 9 meters long and weighs approximately 45 tons! These stones are arranged in several concentric circles in the area. Other stones are placed horizontally on top of them. It is thought that this structure was also used as an observatory. It is believed that the movements of the moon were studied through the gaps between the stones, and that the sunrise on June 21st, the longest day of the year, and the sunset on December 21st, the longest night, were observed from there.
The Thirteen Towers of Chankillo
Located in the Chankillo region of Peru, are approximately 2,300 years old and belong to the oldest solar observatory in the Americas. The observatory, consisting of 13 stone towers, is thought to be a remnant of a civilization that lived in Peru before the Incas. It is known that sunrise and sunset were observed from between the towers. It is also believed that sunrise and sunset times were recorded throughout the year as a result of observations. A calendar was also prepared based on calculations made using the shadows cast on the towers' staircases.
This structure in Newgrange
Ireland, is estimated to have been built approximately 5000 years ago. There is a special opening above the entrance. Only on December 21st, at sunrise, sunlight enters the building through this opening. The light illuminates the entire corridor inside. At this time, the sunlight also falls on the large stones placed along the corridor. The light reflecting off the stones creates dazzling visuals within the structure. It is thought that these stones were specially placed to create these light effects.
Ziggurat
The Sumerians were a civilization that lived approximately 5500 years ago. One of the most important structures remaining from this civilization is the Ziggurat. A pyramid-shaped, multi-story structure, the Ziggurat is known to have been used for various purposes, such as food storage, school, temple, and observatory. The section of the Ziggurat used as an observatory is the top floor. The Sumerians used to observe solar and lunar eclipses from here. In ancient Mesopotamia, the Babylonians and Assyrians also built ziggurats. However, the Babylonians and Assyrians primarily used these structures as temples.
Sources: http://www.crystalinks.com/observa.html http://www.geotimes.org/mar07/article.
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