The cosmic and spiritual questPre-Columbian spirituality
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 5:53 am
Deep in the Chiapas jungle, the temples of Palenque reveal frescoes and sculptures recounting the exploits of their rulers. Bonampak, with its vibrant frescoes, offers a unique perspective on ritual life and warfare among the Maya. Other sites, such as Cobá, Uxmal and Tulum, on the Caribbean Sea, illustrate the architectural and cultural diversity of Mayan cities. Further south, in skype data the Peruvian Andes, sites such as Machu Picchu, an Inca jewel perched in the mountains, or Choquequirao, more isolated and less frequented, show an impressive adaptation to extreme landscapes.
Deeply rooted in the observation of the stars and respect for natural cycles, still guides our understanding of these societies today. The calendars developed by the Mayans, often engraved in monumental stones, show an advanced knowledge of astronomy. The Temple of the Observatory, in Chichén Itzá, was designed to scrutinize the movements of the stars, and its precise orientation reflects an exceptional scientific mastery.
Chichén Itzá, in Mayan territory, is also distinguished by the famous Pyramid of Kukulcán, designed to interact with the sun during the equinoxes. This monument is a striking example of the alliance between architecture and astronomical observation, symbolizing both the religious devotion and the scientific genius of the Mayans.
Religious rituals
Sometimes marked by human sacrifices, were often held in these monumental sanctuaries. The Bonampak frescoes depict scenes of sacrifice and ceremony, highlighting a complex system linking power and religion. In the Andes, pre-Inca and Inca cultures were also governed by a complex cosmology. Moray, a ceremonial agricultural site, features circular terraces that may have been used for agricultural experiments linked to natural cycles. Lake Titicaca, considered the mythological home of the Incas, is home to sacred sites such as Isla del Sol, where landscapes blend with spirituality.
Deeply rooted in the observation of the stars and respect for natural cycles, still guides our understanding of these societies today. The calendars developed by the Mayans, often engraved in monumental stones, show an advanced knowledge of astronomy. The Temple of the Observatory, in Chichén Itzá, was designed to scrutinize the movements of the stars, and its precise orientation reflects an exceptional scientific mastery.
Chichén Itzá, in Mayan territory, is also distinguished by the famous Pyramid of Kukulcán, designed to interact with the sun during the equinoxes. This monument is a striking example of the alliance between architecture and astronomical observation, symbolizing both the religious devotion and the scientific genius of the Mayans.
Religious rituals
Sometimes marked by human sacrifices, were often held in these monumental sanctuaries. The Bonampak frescoes depict scenes of sacrifice and ceremony, highlighting a complex system linking power and religion. In the Andes, pre-Inca and Inca cultures were also governed by a complex cosmology. Moray, a ceremonial agricultural site, features circular terraces that may have been used for agricultural experiments linked to natural cycles. Lake Titicaca, considered the mythological home of the Incas, is home to sacred sites such as Isla del Sol, where landscapes blend with spirituality.