Temple of the Moon (Peru) facts for kids
The Temple of the Moon is an ancient Inca temple. It is found on Huayna Picchu mountain, close to the famous Machu Picchu in Peru. This special place is built with amazing stone work and includes a shallow cave that is open to the outside. Like many places in Machu Picchu, the temple's name was chosen much later.
Inside the cave, there is a throne carved right out of the rock. Steps next to the throne lead deeper into the cave. People think these caves might have been used to keep mummies. The Temple of the Moon is about 1500 years old. It was found again in 1936. It sits about 390 m (1,280 ft) below the top of Huayna Picchu, on its north side.
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Exploring the Temple's Design
The Temple of the Moon has three main parts. First, there's a cave with a roof that hangs over, showing incredible stone work. Beyond this, there is a very tall doorway with two frames. Further on, you find more structures, one of which also uses a cave. The stone work here is said to show the three levels of the Incan religion. These are the Hanan Pacha (the sky world), the Kay Pacha (the earth world), and the Ukju Pacha (the underworld). They are shown by the condor, the puma, and the snake.
The temple also has special spaces carved into the stones. Some of these are "fake" doors. The main entrance is very large, about 8-meter-high (26 ft) and 6-meter-wide (20 ft). The temple area is shaped like a rectangle, with the natural mountain rocks forming its walls. Its three doors are 1.60 meters high at the front and 1.00 meter high on the sides. Inside, you can see six trapezoid-shaped spaces. The main temple building is raised 5 meters above the ground. It has an 8-meter-high (26 ft) entrance.
Why is it Called the Temple of the Moon?
Most experts believe the name "Temple of the Moon" was just given to this site. This is true for many other places in Machu Picchu. Writers like Ruth M Wright and Alfredo Valencia Zegarra say they found no signs that the Incas used this temple for moon rituals.
However, some people think the temple got its name because of how moonlight shines into the cave at night.
What Was the Temple Used For?
The exact reason for building the Temple of the Moon is not fully known. Scientists know that people have lived in caves for a very long time. Since caves and springs were often seen as ways to reach the gods, many believe the temple was a place of worship. It might have been used to honor the gods.
One idea is that it was a royal tomb, a place of worship, and a look-out spot. Some think it was a place for sacrifices. This is because it has beautiful carved spaces and empty trapezoid shapes typical of Inca design. In front of the cave, there is a rock carved like an altar. Others believe the Temple of the Moon was a ceremonial bathing area.
See also
In Spanish: Templo de la Luna para niños
