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Photogrammetry of the Paracas Candelabra, 2018. © Pi Heritage Foundation
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Each dataset includes the method used to obtain it, its status (measured, computed or preliminary), its source and how to cite it. They can be downloaded as CSV, which opens in Excel or Numbers, and as JSON, for software and automated analysis. We will add new data as the projects progress.

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01Qhapaq Ñan: the Route of Wiracocha 02Paracas Candelabra 03Cusco geopolymers 04The Inca road of the Koricancha
01 · Geodesy

Qhapaq Ñan: the Route of Wiracocha

The coordinates of seven sacred sites and their distance and bearing from Tiwanaku. Six of them, as far as Cajamarca almost 1,500 km away, lie on a single axis of about 313°.

SiteLatitudeLongitudeDistanceBearing
Tiwanaku−16.5547−68.6733——
Pukara−15.0461−70.3703247.2 km312.5°
Raqchi−14.1747−71.3683391.8 km312.1°
Cusco (Koricancha)−13.5203−71.9750489.4 km313.1°
Ollantaytambo−13.2583−72.2633532.1 km313.1°
Machu Picchu−13.1631−72.5450561.5 km311.7°
Cajamarca−7.1638−78.50031,493.6 km313.2°

StatusComputed

MethodApproximate WGS84 coordinates of each site, in decimal degrees; Cusco is taken at the Koricancha. Great-circle distance by the haversine formula with a mean Earth radius of 6,371 km. Initial bearing from Tiwanaku, relative to true north.

How to verify itEnter the coordinates into any geodetic calculator, or apply the haversine formula: you will obtain the same values.

How to cite itPi Heritage Foundation (2026). Qhapaq Ñan: the Route of Wiracocha from Tiwanaku [dataset], version 1.0. www.pirambla.org/datos.html

CSV ↓ JSON ↓ The research →
02 · Archaeoastronomy and geometry

The Paracas Candelabra

The orientation of the geoglyph, the dimensions of its base rectangle and the position of the Southern Cross, today and at the time it was drawn.

ParameterValueStatus
Azimuth of the central axis175°Measured
Base rectangle, length20.4 mMeasured
Base rectangle, width14.4 mMeasured
Length/width ratio1.4167 = 17/12Computed
Square root of 2, for comparison1.4142Reference
Culmination altitude of the Southern Cross, today≈ 41°Computed
The same altitude about 2,200 years ago≈ 52°Computed
Southern Cross vertical, today21:45 on 3 MayComputed

StatusPreliminary

MethodAerial drone photogrammetry with GNSS by Anselm Pi Rambla's team (8 November 2018) and terrain analysis. Positions of the Southern Cross computed for Paracas, including the precession of the equinoxes.

How to verify itDivide 20.4 by 14.4 and compare it with √2. For the sky, use planetarium software (for example, Stellarium) set at Paracas Bay, today and 2,200 years ago.

How to cite itPi Heritage Foundation (2026). Paracas Candelabra: orientation, geometry and sky [dataset], version 1.0. www.pirambla.org/datos.html

CSV ↓ JSON ↓ The research →
03 · Materials science

Geopolymers of Cusco

The chemistry of four ashlar samples from the Koricancha and the Huaca Sapantiana, analysed by Trevor Hawke, compared with the andesite of the Rumiqolqa quarry.

SampleSi/AlCat. sat.Ca/SiK (at%)Cl (at%)
1A · Koricancha2.480.880.122.180.52
1B · Koricancha3.121.000.121.680.71
2A · Sapantiana2.170.980.12–0.13——
2B · Sapantiana2.421.220.12——
Rumiqolqa andesite———≈ 1.04< 0.01

"—": value not published for that sample. Sample 1A also has 1.49 atomic % sodium and sample 2B, 2.91 atomic % magnesium.

Gamma spectrometry

SiteThorium/uraniumRadon
Koricancha2.8998.7%
Palace of Inca Roca2.8895.7%
Rumiqolqa quarry3.83—
Dense rock (reference)—5–15%

Measured in situ with a portable spectrometer. Preliminary data: the thorium/uranium ratio and the radon figure must be confirmed together in the laboratory with a germanium detector. Included in the JSON file.

StatusMeasuredWider sampling pending

MethodScanning electron microscopy with microanalysis (SEM-EDS), in atomic percent. Cation saturation index = (Na + K + Ca + Mg) / Al. Rumiqolqa reference: mean K₂O of 2.31% over 124 samples (Ogburn et al.).

How to verify itThe decisive test is to analyse the quarry rock and the masonry with the same technique. The next steps are sampling authorized by Peru's Ministry of Culture, X-ray diffraction, petrography and an independent laboratory.

How to cite itHawke, T. and Pi Heritage Foundation (2026). Geopolymers: masonry samples from Cusco (SEM-EDS) [dataset], version 1.0. www.pirambla.org/datos.html

CSV ↓ JSON ↓ The research →
04 · Inca urban planning

The Inca road out of the Koricancha

The ancient road that left the Koricancha towards Saqsaywaman ran in a straight line through the palace of Kusicancha and across today's Calle Maruri. Like the whole layout of the Koricancha, it is oriented 22.5° west of geographic north.

ParameterValueStatus
Orientation of the Inca road22.5° · bearing 337.5°Measured
Church of Santo Domingo, short sides338° and 340°Computed
Calle Ahuacpinta, beside the Koricancha337°Computed
Inca causeway of Kusicancha, from the exit20-165 mComputed
Crossing of Calle Maruri, from the exit≈ 160 mComputed
Ch'ekkaluwa, the great Andean diagonal22° 30'Reference

Angles measured west of geographic north. The bearing is counted clockwise from north. The Ch'ekkaluwa is included for comparison: it is the angle described by María Scholten de D'Ebneth (La Ruta de Wirakocha, 1977), Carlos Milla Villena (Génesis de la cultura andina, 1979) and Umbilicus Mundi.

Inca causeway of Kusicancha with its central channel and, in the background, the tower of Santo Domingo
The Inca causeway of Kusicancha, with its central water channel. In the background, on the same line, the tower of Santo Domingo, built over the Koricancha. Photo: © Pi Heritage Foundation
Map of the Inca road out of the Koricancha: bearing 337.5°, 22.5° west of geographic north N 22.5° Ch'ekkaluwa bearing 337.5° SANTO DOMINGO Koricancha Side exit KUSICANCHA Maruri Pampa del Castillo Ahuacpinta Romeritos 50 m
The road, 22.5° west of geographic north (bearing 337.5°), from the side exit of Santo Domingo to Calle Maruri: the angle of the Ch'ekkaluwa. Cartography: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Map: Pi Heritage

StatusMeasured

MethodOrientation measured by the Foundation's team, during the 2000 and 2026 projects, from the side exit of the Church of Santo Domingo, on Calle Arrayanniyoc, and plotted on georeferenced aerial imagery. Independent check with OpenStreetMap cartography (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL): orientation of the church and of Calle Ahuacpinta, and the course of a straight line at 337.5° from the exit.

How to verify itIn Google Earth or OpenStreetMap, draw a line with a bearing of 337.5° from the side exit of the Church of Santo Domingo: it runs through the Inca causeway of Kusicancha and crosses Calle Maruri. The orientation of the church can be measured on its floor plan.

How to cite itPi Heritage Foundation (2026). The Inca road out of the Koricancha [dataset], version 1.0. www.pirambla.org/datos.html

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