Open science

Open data

Photogrammetry of the Paracas Candelabra, 2018. © Pi Rambla Heritage
Open science

We don't ask you to believe us: check it

We publish the data behind our research so that any researcher, university or laboratory can review it, repeat the calculations and test our conclusions for themselves.

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.

All data are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) licence: free to use, share and analyse, citing the source.

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

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

Take part

Found an error, or want to repeat an analysis?

Science advances when others check what we say. If your university, your laboratory or you yourself want to review these data, replicate a calculation or collaborate on the next measurements, write to us.

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