Probabilities of designed locations of ceremonial foci: the Chaco Meridian, temple IV at Tikal, and a large-scale sacred Adena river landscape

Research reveals strong evidence that prehistoric cultures, such as those in Chaco Canyon and the Adena region, intentionally designed large-scale geometric patterns across landscapes. The study distinguishes between random alignments and intentional design by testing 26 prominent Adena mounds against river confluence points and mountain peaks, finding a high probability of deliberate surveying. Similar analyses at Tikal's Temple IV and Chaco Canyon's great kivas also suggest designed ceremonial foci. The approach involves modeling random point sets to compare the frequency of precise three-point alignments and right-angles, with results indicating intentional geometric planning in these ancient landscapes.

Doxtater, D. (2021). Probabilities of designed locations of ceremonial foci: the Chaco Meridian, temple IV at Tikal, and a large-scale sacred Adena river landscape. Time and Mind, 14(2), 283–326. https://doi.org/10.1080/1751696x.2021.1903178