The metrological research of the Machu Picchu site. Application of a cosine quantogram method for 3D laser data.

Abstract

<p class="Affiliation">The aim of a metrological analysis of the Machu Picchu site is to verify the hypothesis on the functioning of the imperial system of length measurement which was used by the Incas during measurement and construction processes. Data for metrological analyses were obtained from 3D laser scanning as 3D point cloud from where desired length measurements were collected. As far as the research method is concerned, a statistical model of a cosine quantogram was used to find a unit of design from a data set. The method has successfully been introduced during the analysis of architectural sites of the Mediterranean culture but never has been applied in regard to pre-Columbian archaeology. Statistical approach in this study will reveal new information about Inca urban planning based on the elements of architecture design.</p>

Inca builders at Machu Picchu National Archaeological Park

“…The results of the metrological analysis in Chachabamba are comparable to the conclusions of measurements studies on Machu Picchu. As a result of cosine quantogram research at Machu Picchu, two basic units of measure were applied during the delineation of building elements such as niches (Kubicka, 2017; Kubicka & Kasiński, 2020; Figure 6).…”

“…The lack of written and archaeological sources specifying the value of units of measure in Inca architecture means the cosine quantogram method could be considered a dedicated tool for such analyses. Research on the application of this method for the llaqta of Machu Picchu has already started (Kubicka & Kasiński, 2020) but has never been fully published with a comparison to other data collected from the satellite site in Vilcanota Valley. The ceremonial complex of Chachabamba having been subjected to numerous archaeological and remote sensing analyses, it was possible to effectively apply the cosine quantogram method, which definitely exceeded our expectations.…”