Astronomical Alignments of the Sun Temple site in Mesa Verde National Park

TL;DR

This study digitally surveys the Sun Temple in Mesa Verde to investigate its potential use as an astronomical observatory for sacred celestial events, revealing significant evidence of its function in ancient Pueblo ceremonial practices.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive digital analysis suggesting the Sun Temple was used for astronomical observations, a novel insight into its purpose.

Findings

Significant alignment with sacred celestial bodies

Evidence of deliberate architectural design for observation

Identifies the site as a major prehistoric astronomical observatory

Abstract

Summer 2015 marked the 100th anniversary of the excavation by J.W. Fewkes of the Sun Temple in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado; an ancient ceremonial complex of unknown purpose, prominently located atop a mesa, constructed by the Pueblo Indians approximately 1000 years ago. In this analysis we perform a digital survey of the site, and examine the possibility that four key tower-like elements of the complex were used for observation of the rise or set of celestial bodies known to be sacred to the Pueblo Indians. We find statistically significant evidence that the site was used for astronomical observation of the rise and/or set of nearly all such bodies. The Sun Temple appears to represent the most comprehensive prehistoric astronomical observatory yet uncovered.