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Home : Science : Social Sciences : Archaeology : Topics : Archaeoastronomy
Archaeoastronomy
Archaeoastronomy is the study of the cosmological knowledge of ancient cultures, as revealed by texts, calendrical systems, monuments, and other ancient artifacts.
It does not deal with astrological or mythical lore, except as they might show awareness of particular cosmological phenomena.
As a recognized field of scientific study, it operates within the speculative limits of mainstream physical and historical science: that is, it does not postulate such things as ancient astronauts, extraterrestrial visitors, mystical wisdom, magical locations, Atlantis, etc. All such subjects are covered in Astroarchaeology (or other subcategories of Science/Anomalies_and_Alternative_Science.)
It does not deal with astrological or mythical lore, except as they might show awareness of particular cosmological phenomena.
As a recognized field of scientific study, it operates within the speculative limits of mainstream physical and historical science: that is, it does not postulate such things as ancient astronauts, extraterrestrial visitors, mystical wisdom, magical locations, Atlantis, etc. All such subjects are covered in Astroarchaeology (or other subcategories of Science/Anomalies_and_Alternative_Science.)
Sites in Archaeoastronomy
Tiwanaku (Tiahuanaco) Phase IV
Cesare Berrini's hypotheses concerning the relationships between bas-relief carvings on the Gateway of the Sun, the annual solar cycle, and geometric time measurement.
Center for Archaeoastronomy
Founded in 1978 at the University of Maryland to advance research, education and public awareness of archaeoastronomy.
Star Myths and Constellation Lore
Supporting website for the book by Dr. Theony Condos. Includes sample chapter and links.
University of Massachusetts Sunwheel
A project to build a stone circle aligned to the sunrises and sunsets of the solstices and equinoxes, as well as the north pole star, for use by the community as a tool for education and outreach.
The Shaw Butte Notebook
This site makes extensive use of Quicktime to describe and demonstrate the workings of an Hohokam observatory.
Archaeoastronomy
Well developed site featuring articles and photographs on a number of significant sites and their Archaeoastronomy
Pathfinder - Ancient American Calendar
Observe video of light/shadow interplay on 1,000+ year old rock art marking equinox sunrise at a remote, newly discovered Colorado site.
Aboriginal Star Knowledge
Native American Astronomy, with a focus on Lakota star knowledge.
The Dogon and Sirius
A detailed examination of M. Griaule's 1950 paper "Un Systeme Soudanais de Sirius" in terms of both ethnography and astronomy.
Dioptra
The earliest dioptra (c.300 BCE) was a device for measuring the angle, in parts of a "Sign", between two celestial objects. Photos and descriptions of how to make one and how they work.
Archaeoastronomy
Introduction to Irish megalithic complexes; includes future astronomical sight times.
Southern Stars: Aboriginal Astronomy
Evidence of highly complex astronomy within Australian Aboriginal society.
Temple Orientation and Heliacal Stars
Orientation of Greek and Egyptian temples and the role of astronomy in the setting of temple orientation.
Archaeoastronomy
A comprehensive introduction to archaeoastronomy including a look at various people groups and case studies of sites.
Carving the Cosmos
Astronomical analysis of petroglyphs on sandstone panels, Arizona.
Ancient Astronomy
An interactive atlas of the world links to the archaeoastronomy and multicultural cosmology of ancient times.
Archaeo-astronomical hypotheses on some Ligurian engravings
Study of rupestral engravings in Italy.
SEAC - the European Society For Astronomy In Culture
Academic society with conferences and publications. English and French text.
ISAAC - International Society for Archaeoastronomy and Astronomy in Culture
Contact details for this international academic society.
Kitora Kofun - Japan
Referenced article exploring this ancient Japanese kofun (burial mound). Astrological charts have been determined from the "star paintings" inside the tomb.
Sites in Asuka, Japan
Stone relics and monuments, of unknown age or origin, with possible Solstitial and/or Principle Term alignments. With photos.
Oldest Astronomical Monument Found
Discovery of a 6,500-year-old monument at Nabta, Egypt. BBC article.
Ethnoastronomy of the Lakota
Dr. Mark Hollabaugh presents his ethnographic research of Lakota astronomy.
Lithuanian Ethnoastronomy
An online book of the folkore in Lithuania surrounding the sun, moon and stars by Jonas Vaiðkûnas.
Lakota Ethnoastronomy
Well referenced article by Steven Mizrach upon astronomy as practiced by the Lakota.
AR315 Lecture Timetable
Archaeoastronomy Lecture notes and photographs from Leicester University.
How the Shaman Stole the Moon
An archaeoastronomy book by William H. Calvin of the University of Washington. The book, which describes a dozen ways of predicting eclipses, can be purchased or downloaded for personal reading at no charge.
Ligustic archaeoastronomy
Ligurian Archaeoastronomy, mainly in Italian but with some English and German translations.
Big Dipper Little Dipper Stone
Photograph of a sandstone artifact from Palo Alto California, and text which argues that marking carved into it are native represenations of the Big Dipper and Little Dipper.
Prehistoric Moon Map Unearthed
The BBC reports that astronomer Dr Philip Stooke has found a map of the moon in an Irish tomb that pre-dates the earliest known one by about 5000 years.
Ice Age Star Map Discovered
A controversial discovery of a 16,000-year-old "map of the night sky" in Lascaux caves. BBC article.
Ancient Tomb Captured Both Sun and Moon
A unique prehistoric tomb in Ireland has been revealed to align to both the midsummer Sun and the midwinter Moon. BBC article
Pyramids Lined Up With The Stars
British Egyptologist puts forward an astronomical theory for the northern alignment of the Great Pyramid at Giza. BBC article.
Stones of Wonder
A guide the megalithic monuments of Scotland and their astronomical alignments. Also contains illustrations, a bibliography and suggestions for the best times of year to visit.
An archaeoastronomy sensation from Germany?
Report on the display of the Sky Disc of Nebra from The Cosmic Mirror #236.
Germany's Sky Disk seen as key for archaeoastronomy
A description of the Sky Disc of Nebra from The Cosmic Mirror #243
Die Himmelsscheibe von Nebra (The Sky Disc of Nebra)
Largely German description of the Bronze Age artefact umearthed in Saxony-Anhalt, with FAQs in English.
Cultural Astronomy
A multimedia introduction to archaeoastronomy and ethnoastronomy suitable for K-12 teachers and students. Part of the University of Chicago's Digital Library.
Cosmic link to stone circles
Ancient stone circles and tombs in Ireland align with the Sun and the Moon, say astronomers. BBC Article
Encounter with the Moon stone
The BBC's science editor comes face to face with what is claimed to be the oldest map of the Moon ever made.
Indiana Jones and the Astronomers of Yore
Introduction to basic archaeoastronomical concepts with examples from across the world.
Archaeoastronomy and the Search for Ancient Observatories
Brief overview of the use of astronomy in different ancient cultures across the world.
Selected Bibliographical References on Mesoamerican Archaeoastronomy
Bibliographical companion to a Mayan Archaeoastronomy course run by Tulane University.
The Material World
BBC Radio 4 interview on the methodology of archaeoastronomy with Prof. Clive Ruggles and Dr. Frank Prendergast. Requires Real Player.
Cursus: solving a 6,000-year-old puzzle
An article from "British Archaeology" magazine arguing for an astronomical motive for the building of some cursus monuments in prehistoric Britain.
Heavenly Mathematics: Cultural Astronomy
An interdisciplinary course on cultural astronomy. The course has a goal of imparting an understanding of basic astronomical phenomena and an appreciation of their cultural significance throughout the world.
JC Holbrook's Publications and Web projects
A variety of projects ranging from African Astronomy to Zodiac Mosaics.
The Sophia Project
A project run by the Sophia Trust to advance the scholarly study of astrology and cultural astronomy in British institutions of higher education.
Starlore
Homepage of Paul Curnow with information on native astronomies, in particular the astronomy of the Aboriginal people of Australia.
Solar Astronomy in the Prehistoric Southwest
A slide show of Anasazi astronomical sites with extensive notes.
Loughcrew Megalithic Cairns - Ireland
An introduction the to astronomical theories surrounding these Irish Neolithic Cairns.
Chevalier's ASTR 341 Home Page
Course notes for the Archaeoastronomy course at the University of Virginia, USA.
BBC World Service: The Stargazers of Ancient Egypt
Dr Kate Spence's theory of the cardinal alignment of Great Pyramid explained.
A Critical Look at Archaeoastronomy and the Anasazi Culture of the American Southwest
An overview of the theoretical foundations of archaeoastronomy with a case study of the Anazazi Culture.
The Sophia Centre
The Centre for the Study of Cultural Astronomy and Astrology at Bath Spa University, UK
German site predates Stonehenge
A possible astronomical observatory has been found near Goseck, eastern Germany. From the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (English Edition).
Archaeoastronomy.com
Overview of archaeoastronomy. Includes maps, almanacs and video archive.
Scientific American: Circles for Space
An article on how a German "Stonehenge" may be the world's oldest observatory.
BBC - Radio 4 - Stars In Their Eyes
Rajesh Mirchandani looks at the ancient cosmologies of Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and India. Requires Real Player.
Megalithic Sites of Great Britain
Re-evaluation of the existence of the Megalithic Calendar proposed by Alexander Thom.
Archaeoastronomy: An Interview with David Dearborn
Interview with David Dearnorn, a specialist in Peruvian Astronomy.
Archaeoastronomy
Dr. Cornelius Holtorf ponders the relationship of Archaeoastronomy to the megaliths of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.
Aztec Astronomy and Observation of Nature
Explains how the alignment of some of the temples illustrated the spring solar equinox, the relationship to the stories of the gods, and the calendar systems.
Stone Age Astronomy: Mythical Ireland
New information and research about the astronomy of the Irish Stone Age, plus sections on the movements of the heavenly bodies and links to other sites. |
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cross references
Science : Astronomy : Calendars and Timekeeping Science : Astronomy : History Science : Astronomy : In the Artsother references
Science : Social Sciences : Archaeology : Alternative : Archaeoastronomy Science : Social Sciences : Archaeology : Archaeologists : Archaeoastronomers Science : Social Sciences : Archaeology : Periods and Cultures : Mesoamerican : Aztec : Calendarthis category in other languages
