Resumo

MOYANO, Ricardo. THE USHNU AND HORIZON ASTRONOMY IN VIÑA DEL CERRO. Chungará (Arica) [online]. 2010, vol.42, n.2, pp. 419-432. ISSN 0717-7356.  doi: 10.4067/S0717-73562010000200006.

ln this paper, I present the results obtained from an analysis of orientations ofthe reconstructed architecture in the Diaguita-Inka metallurgical center of Viña del Cerro located in the central valley ofthe Copiapó River, III Atacama Región in Northern Chile. These results suggest that the platform that formed part ofthe ushnu as well as the access doors ofthe kancha and structures of UnitA could be linked to the creation and adjustment ofa solar horizon calendar and to specific mountains in the local landscape. The ushnu in Viña del Cerro, in addition to complying with political and administrative functions established by the Tawantinsuyu, could have served as an axis mundi, a place for principal religious ceremonies related to solstice observation and worship ofthe huacas ofthe mountains Calquis and Potro.

Palavras-chave : Ushnu; horizon landmarks; Viña del Cerro.