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Los Morteros-The Mortars

The Los Morteros, or The Mortars, were multifunctional tools used by the Incas, serving purposes in milling, weaving, pottery, and even making chicha, the traditional corn beer. Intriguingly, these stone structures were also theorized to be utilized for astronomical observations. Modern astronomers remain skeptical of this claim, suggesting that direct observation without mirrors would be more practical. This raises questions about the true function of these mortars and their alignment with cardinal directions. Can water serve as a medium for celestial observation?

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Los Morteros-The Mortars

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  1. Los Morteros-The Mortars

  2. What Are They? • Used for milling, weaving or pottery making, supports for an apparatus used in the making of chicha (corn beer). • Mirrors used for making astronomical observations.

  3. What Do Astronomers Think? • “Modern astronomers, however, say no one can seriously make this claim, since it is far more practical to observe the sky directly, without the use of mirrors. Again, we know so little about the Incas, despite a generalized perception that they were intellectually advanced, that possibly an explanation rejected by modern science could have meanings which are hidden from us.” -www.enjoy-machu-picchu.org/special-information-machu-picchu-urban-sector-cluster-of-mortars.php

  4. Questions? • Will water be a sufficient medium to observe the stars and planets? If not, what will? • Does the water magnify the image? • What did I see? • When can I see the same thing again? • Can I see it from that location only, or will it work anywhere? • What was the function of these pools to the Inca?

  5. Hypotheses • I should be able to view objects of very bright magnitudes from anywhere, given good viewing conditions. • Water should be a sufficient medium for observing these objects. • The Mortars were used to make some sort of astronomical observation.

  6. Project • Recreate pools of water and see if anything can be observed. • Use Starry Night to determine what I saw, and when I could see the same thing again. • Determine the orientation of the Mortars in respect to the cardinal directions.

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