![]() The second type of constellations could only be observed when there were no stars: they were the dark spots or blotches on the Milky Way. ![]() These constellations were considered as inanimate. One star grouping known as Pleiades was especially believed to be influential over the well-being of animals. Pleiades was not seen as a greater God to the Inca, but they rather saw it as a huaca to which shamans would make regular sacrifices. The first and most common groupings of stars were linked in a connect-the-dots manner to create pictures of animals, Gods, heroes and more. The Inca sorted the constellations into two groups. Upon looking at the stars, the Inca noticed many animals and other representations from their day to day lives. They believed that Viracocha had ensured that each animal had a corresponding star and that all living things were protected. Grouping these stars into constellations became very important to the Inca. The Inca however not only studied individual stars, but also grouped stars into constellations. ![]() Held during the winter solstice in Cusco, Inti Raymi is an annual celebration that pays homage to Inti, the Sun God, so that he returns to his Inca sons and nourish their crops. Similarly to the ancient Egyptians, this was a horizon-based culture. They built carefully placed pillars on mountains and hills overlooking Cusco, so when the sun rose or set between these pillars, they knew they had to plant at a specific altitude. Astronomy was used for agricultural purposes. Cusco for example lies on a radial plan, mimicking the sky and pointing to specific astronomical events on the horizon. The most crucial events for the Inca generally involved the rising and setting of the sun, moon, and stars.Īstronomy was very important for the Inca civilization, partly due to the importance of agriculture. Both the moon and sun were seen as gods and they built extravagant pillars and temples with great precision so that these “heavenly bodies”, like the sun, would pass over the structures or through windows on specific days, like the summer solstice. In general, the sky was very important to the Inca. The Temple of the Sun at Machu Picchu likely served as a solar observatory and sacred site where high Inca priests performed rituals. They also worshiped huacas, spirits that were believed to inhabit any remarkable phenomenon, including large boulders, trees, streams or waterfalls. Worship was very important to them and they had a complicated religion, closely linked to astronomy. The Inca worshiped various Gods, including Viracocha (the creator), Inti (the sun), and Chuqui Illa, the God of Thunder. They had a grand empire stretching from present-day Colombia to Chile. The Inca flourished in the Andes Mountains in South America from the 12th to 15th centuries. All Is Connected, Giving These Findings a MeaningĪ Stargazing Experience in Cusco The Complex Inca Belief System
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