Usually, when we talk about Incas and Pre-Columbian Cultures we wonder how they built all those incredible strutures. Now it's time for some good
answers.
I'll try to put together some new sources I found and some other that I already shared, forgive me if I used spanish language sources, some of the
items exposed here haven't been discussed here and information about them is limited.
Even if the artifacts or devices you are about to read about might look rudimental, thinking about the overwhelming intelligence applied to reach
those concepts, bring more questions to our minds.
I imagine altruist ancient visitors teaching people how to apply advanced technlology using limited resources available like stones and wood. There
were gods in ancient times and they started the first sparks of our knowledge, hope one day we meet again just to say "Thank you".
THE SAYWANA - Andean Broadcast Antenna Network.
This device was used to communicate agricultural and astronomical information from one area to another with a system of movable mirrors called
"Lurpukunas".
The mirrors projected the light from one device to another, displayed in distant mountains.
The Saywanas were controlled by the "Pachap Onanchac", the scientists of the Inca's Empire. The light was projected in pulses, using a code which had
to be interpreted by another Pachap Onanchac.
The receiver transfered the information recording it in Quipus (knot code system). Any aditional mathematical calculation would require a
"Yupana" or a Hakjuña. A device used to perform complex calculations.
The broadcasting wasn't limited to the sunlight, they kept it operatonal at night using fire, so they stayed "online" all the time.
In this video (I only found spanish audio version), you can observe how they used of the Yakuapana to make the water come down in equal amounts at
both sides of the water fountain, also you'll see a basic version of the Saywana, without mirrors.
In this other video, you will see a museum in Peru, "Museo Cosmoastronomico Puruchuco", in Lima. It was built as a full size example, using the
concepts and instruments dicussed here, also has a simple version of the Saywana on top of the building, enough to confirm its practical functions.
It's possible that the Saywana was used as a geodetic instrument by the Nazca People to make their famous geoglyphs, with an upgraded version that
combines other ancient instruments like the "YAKUAPANA" which is a Inclinometer or tilt meter.
The Yakuapana was also the key of the hydraulic technology, used to mesure the angle on aqueducts, avoiding overflows and saving water resources.
Probably used in combination with mesurements made using the "Allpa Pampachana" (a topographic instrument).
The Allpa Pampachana helped to create the Qapac Ñan, a road network that covered the whole Inca's Empire.
Another device used in combination with the Saywana was the "Chakana", as an star
finder. I translated the terms described in the next picture, in order to help understand its complexity.
Well, now it's time to click "Post" and wait for your always welcomed comments my friends. Thank you !
Just to help out the OP -- in the first picture, the first block of text describes what seems to be the first station. The text reads: Winter
Solstice. The second block of text (the second station pictured) reads: Vernal (spring) Equinox. The third block of text (the third station) reads:
Autumnal (fall) Equinox. The third block of text reads: Summer Solstice. The four mirror stations pictured also represent the four seasons (las cuatro
estaciones). I hope this helps.
Too bad there wasn't an Incan Gandalf shouting "light the beacon!" when the Spaniards were approaching...
But seriously, great post, and maybe greater exposure of ancient Peruvian technology and skills will help people understand how the Nazca lines came
into being, as opposed to crediting it to space aliens.
bigfatfurrytexan
Outstanding! Damn Spanish explorers. All that history, destroyed.
That's what we've been told. I'm sure the knowledge is still available and the main reason of my threads on this topic is to help rediscovering it.
I know I can count with ATS members assistance
Anyway, for me what the spaniards did is unforgivable thru the centuries, considering they never regretted what their ancestors caused.
That's really fascinating Trueman. I am woefully ignorant about these matters. I might have to pick your brains about the insignia found on Pictish
stones, however, because the sun-code machine (I know that's not it's real name) looks quite similar to a design which is still undeciphered - the
Z-rod.
That's not relevant here, so I won't derail you but it did make me wonder. Great thread S&F
bigfatfurrytexan
Outstanding! Damn Spanish explorers. All that history, destroyed.
That's what we've been told. I'm sure the knowledge is still available and the main reason of my threads on this topic is to help rediscovering it.
I know I can count with ATS members assistance
Anyway, for me what the spaniards did is unforgivable thru the centuries, considering they never regretted what their ancestors caused.
I agree wholly. My wife is a latina, and we have talked before about how her "people's" history was stolen from them. In her case, it was more
due to the American Government squashing the indians in the area. They killed all the buffalo as a way to crush the indians (at least, the Comanche
in the area). Settlers used to collect the bones to sell for bonemeal (a way to make subsistance money).
I love reading the stuff you put up, Trueman. Mesoamerican history is among my top passions.
That's really quite ingenious stuff. When there is so little to work with in terms of manufactured goods, bringing these sorts of things together at
all, let alone with any complexity, is amazing. Thanks OP, very cool.