Archaeoastronomy in northern Chile: Andean churches of the Arica and Parinacota region

TL;DR

This study analyzes the precise spatial orientations of nearly forty colonial churches in northern Chile's Arica and Parinacota region to explore potential cultural interactions between Western and Aymara traditions.

Contribution

It provides detailed orientation data of churches in a remote area, highlighting possible cultural influences and setting the stage for further archaeological exploration.

Findings

Detailed orientation measurements of 40 churches

Indications of cultural dialogue in architectural design

Foundation for future regional studies

Abstract

We present the results obtained from the analysis of the precise spatial orientations of almost forty old colonial Christian churches located in the Arica and Parinacota region. This is an extended and difficult to travel area that received little attention from parish priests, and where one might expect some dialogue to have taken place between the Western tradition and the local Aymara culture in regard to the design and construction of temples. We also briefly comment on our plans to explore neighboring areas to the region here studied, which include many additional historical constructions that share similar cultural traditions.