Very cool. First time I’ve heard of this, which surprises me a little.
I wonder how far the observation points are from the row of towers? Would be interesting to see an aerial view showing both.
Great article!
Most of science is observation. In ancient times this was accomplished with the naked eye. People ALWAYS watched the skies; it’s known that that’s how animals migrate - and know when to migrate - i.e., by positions of the sun and stars. Following animal migrations would make one more aware of the odd, sometimes hidden factors that drive animal behavior.
Someone was bound to figure it out sooner or later!
The first guy who figures it out says, “Here is where the Sun stops its journey and begins to come back - in a few months the plants wills start putting forth shoots. Let’s put some markers here.” Someone fashions a little window so that on that particular day, the sunlight will shine straight through or maybe there already is one. First it’s like a religion and then it’s science - only for those who know about it - and then everyone takes it for granted.
Over the ensuing years the placement of said markers becomes more sure, so that even the average dweller within that civilization becomes aware of things that were formerly hidden. They may not know what the Sun is or where it came from, but they can see easily enough what it does. Over time, more people come along and fill in the blanks of knowledge and we don’t need markers anymore - we know ahead of time what those special dates are. (And they’re still very important, regardless of how advanced our technology gets.)
I almost went on a motorcycle trip to Chaco Canyon once but it fell through and so I have never been there. :( Now it sounds like you can’t go there at all.