Abstract

The arguments based on our own measurements in situ or based on analysis of satellite images and on worldwide paleomagnetic data available to date for relevant time intervals are gathered and presented to claim that many pyramids and other important buildings in Mesoamerica (Olmécs, Maya...) and in China (Xi’an...) were oriented by means of a magnetic compass.

1. Outline

Fuson (1969) [1] and Carlson (1975) [2] claim that Olmécs and Maya knew and used a (lodestone) compass for the orientation of pyramids, ceremonial and other important buildings. Written records indicate that knowledge of an ancient type of compass in China is very old – dating back to before the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) to at least the 4th century BC. Geomancy (feng shui) was practised for a very long time and had a profound influence on the face of China’s landscape and city plans.

Fuson’s hypothesis has been tested with the aid of the paleomagnetic declinations for time and areas of Olmécs/Maya and central China with orientation data of buildings based on our measurements at various archaeological localities of México, Guatemala, and in Copán in Honduras by GPS and with a precise compass during 2003-2010. In China (Xi’an and Luoyang provinces) we had to rely upon satellite images from Google Earth (now with excellent resolution of few meters in many areas).

After eliminating known astronomical and calendar orientation of some buildings, we have found that there is majority of structures with an orientation that clearly deviates from geographic north (pole of rotation of the Earth). When trying to explain this, we can rule out pure chance, local topography, aesthetic, meteorological or defence reasons. The structures might be oriented by means of a magnetic compass