EL CENIT LUNAR EN LOS LÍMITES DEL TRÓPICO DE CAPRICORNIO
THE LUNAR ZENITH IN THE LIMITS OF THE TROPIC OF CAPRICORN

Author(s): Ricardo Moyano Vasconcellos
Subject(s): Anthropology, Archaeology, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: lunar cycles; zenith; ushnu; Collasuyu; Viña del Cerro
Summary/Abstract: We present evidence of astronomical orientations and horizon markers in the Ina site of Viña del Cerro, Atacama region, northern Chile. We assume as a hypothesis the importance of the Lunar zenith related to the phenomenon of major lunar standstills, the control of geographical latitude, and the ushnus presence south of the Tropic of Capricorn. From the phenomenology perspective, we develop the concepts of “dwelling or living in the World” related to the sky observation in the Inca society. Finally, the results show us the use of the Moon for political and ritual purposes, linked with the Citua festival during the September month and the eclipse predictions. This, as a mnemonic system that sought to reaffirm the Cuzco elite’s privilege conditions, related to the environment appropriation and the expansive politic of the Tawantinsuyu, ca. 1470–1532/6 AD.

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