Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex
Casma Province, Áncash, Peru
Archaeological evidence indicates that Chankillo, located in the coastal desert of Peru near the Casma-Sechín river basin, may be the earliest known astronomical observatory in the Americas.
Oldest Astronomical Observatory in the Americas
Dotting a ridge in Peru’s coastal desert are the Thirteen Towers that are part of the Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex. Recognized as the oldest astronomical observatory in the Americas, the complex was built over 2,300 years ago and allowed its users to measure time according to the position of the sun in relation to the towers. By closely watching the sun rise or set from special observation platforms, Chankillo’s ancient users would have been able to accurately determine the dates. Such information was crucial for deciding when to hold public or religious ceremonies, plant seeds, or harvest crops. This remarkable calendrical structure was abandoned around 200 BCE, and it was only in 2001 that archaeologists began to study the extraordinary astronomical observatory at this site.
Our Work
Documentation, Research, and Interventions
Chankillo’s buildings have deteriorated due to centuries of harsh weather, including strong winds, humidity, temperature fluctuations, and more. This prompted its inclusion on the 2010 Watch. Since then, WMF has supported documentation, research, and interventions at the site.
In 2017, WMF helped the City of Casma develop a management plan to support the site’s application for UNESCO World Heritage status. The project team also successfully advocated for the establishment of legal boundaries around the complex to ensure greater protection for its vulnerable structures.
WMF provided essential support for the conservation of two towers, followed by the conservation of three more towers between 2018 and 2020, and one of the main gates of the Fortified Temple in 2021. That same year, the complex was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, representing a major step forward for the recognition of this once-forgotten observatory.
Click on the image block to read more about our work at this site.
Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex
Our Supporters
World Monuments Fund (WMF) is grateful to the Ministry of Culture of Peru, the Municipality of Casma, and the Instituto de Investigaciones Arqueológico (IDARQ) for their collaboration and support at the Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex. WMF's work at this site was also made possible, in part, by support from The Selz Foundation, the U.S. Department of State's Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), the U.S. Embassy Lima, and Tianaderrah Foundation / Nellie and Robert Gipson, with additional support provided by Antamina-Asociación Ancash, the British Peruvian Cultural Institute, Alliance Française Pérou, Yale University, and OHL Peru.