The Fortified Temple of Chankillo

Though relatively little is known about the people who once lived in the fortified temple of Chankillo, recent archaeological discoveries provide a glimpse of how they may have used the site over 2,300 years ago. A mysterious feature once thought to be a defensive wall now appears to be the earliest known astronomical observatory in the Americas.

The World Monument Fund, a nonprofit devoted to preserving historic places and structures, released its bi-annual list of the world’s most endangered sites. Among them are tourist meccas like Machu Picchu, as well as little-known places like the desert castles of ancient Khorezm in Uzbekistan. The 2010 Watch List, released on October 6, 2009, includes 93 sites in 47 countries that the group says is being threatened by neglect, overdevelopment or mass tourism.
 

 

Seven Wonders of Ancient Central and South America by Michael Woods, Mary B. Woods Describes seven monumental ancient Central and South American architectural sites that still exist today, including the Nazca Lines, Machu Picchu, Chankillo, and the Brazilian Stonehenge.