Archaeoastronomy Topics Archaeology

Archaeoastronomy Topics Archaeology

Archaeoastronomy

Archaeoastronomy is the study of the cosmological knowledge of ancient cultures, as revealed by texts, calendrical systems, monuments, and other ancient artifacts. 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.)

Top: Science: Social Sciences: Archaeology: Topics: Archaeoastronomy

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- An article from "British Archaeology" magazine arguing for an astronomical motive for the building of some cursus monuments in prehistoric Britain.
- Features a collaborative project between SECEF, Ideum, the NPS, other organizations, and individuals. Contains an overview, photos, a timeline, news, credits, and contact information.
- Ligurian Archaeoastronomy, mainly in Italian but with some English and German translations.
- Evidence of highly complex astronomy within Australian Aboriginal society.
- Native American Astronomy, with a focus on Lakota star knowledge.
- Brief overview of the use of astronomy in different ancient cultures across the world.
- British Egyptologist puts forward an astronomical theory for the northern alignment of the Great Pyramid at Giza. BBC article.
- Astronomical analysis of petroglyphs on sandstone panels, Arizona.
- Re-evaluation of the existence of the Megalithic Calendar proposed by Alexander Thom.
- 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.
- An overview of the theoretical foundations of archaeoastronomy with a case study of the Anazazi Culture.
- A description of the Sky Disc of Nebra from The Cosmic Mirror #243
- A variety of projects ranging from African Astronomy to Zodiac Mosaics.
- 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.
- 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.
- A unique prehistoric tomb in Ireland has been revealed to align to both the midsummer Sun and the midwinter Moon. BBC article
- Study of rupestral engravings in Italy.
- Supporting website for the book by Dr. Theony Condos. Includes sample chapter and links.
- The Centre for the Study of Cultural Astronomy and Astrology at Bath Spa University, UK
- Dr Kate Spence's theory of the cardinal alignment of Great Pyramid explained.
- Discovery of a 6,500-year-old monument at Nabta, Egypt. BBC article.
- Orientation of Greek and Egyptian temples and the role of astronomy in the setting of temple orientation.
- An interactive atlas of the world links to the archaeoastronomy and multicultural cosmology of ancient times.
- Dr. Cornelius Holtorf ponders the relationship of Archaeoastronomy to the megaliths of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.
- Founded in 1978 at the University of Maryland to advance research, education and public awareness of archaeoastronomy.
- The BBC's science editor comes face to face with what is claimed to be the oldest map of the Moon ever made.
- Homepage of Paul Curnow with information on native astronomies, in particular the astronomy of the Aboriginal people of Australia.
- Report on the display of the Sky Disc of Nebra from The Cosmic Mirror #236.
- BBC Radio 4 interview on the methodology of archaeoastronomy with Prof. Clive Ruggles and Dr. Frank Prendergast. Requires Real Player.
- Course notes for the Archaeoastronomy course at the University of Virginia, USA.
- An introduction the to astronomical theories surrounding these Irish Neolithic Cairns.
- Ancient stone circles and tombs in Ireland align with the Sun and the Moon, say astronomers. BBC Article
- The Exploratorium's multimedia website on the site of Chaco Canyon. Includes a webcast from the Winter Solstice 2004.
- An online book of the folkore in Lithuania surrounding the sun, moon and stars by Jonas Vaiðkûnas.
- A project run by the Sophia Trust to advance the scholarly study of astrology and cultural astronomy in British institutions of higher education.
- The NASA site for Sun-Earth day 2005 (March 20). The theme is 'Ancient Observatories, Timeless Knowledge'. Includes webcasts.
- Stone relics and monuments, of unknown age or origin, with possible Solstitial and/or Principle Term alignments. With photos.
- 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.
- An interdisciplinary website dedicated to research, education and care of heritage in Astronomy in Culture.
- Referenced article exploring this ancient Japanese kofun (burial mound). Astrological charts have been determined from the "star paintings" inside the tomb.
- Observe video of light/shadow interplay on 1,000+ year old rock art marking equinox sunrise at a remote, newly discovered Colorado site.
- A multimedia introduction to archaeoastronomy and ethnoastronomy suitable for K-12 teachers and students. Part of the University of Chicago's Digital Library.
- A detailed examination of M. Griaule's 1950 paper "Un Systeme Soudanais de Sirius" in terms of both ethnography and astronomy.
- Largely German description of the Bronze Age artefact umearthed in Saxony-Anhalt, with FAQs in English.
- An article on the Borana Calendar by Laurance Doyle of the SETI Institute.
- 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.
- Interview with David Dearnorn, a specialist in Peruvian Astronomy.
- 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.
- Archaeoastronomy Lecture notes and photographs from Leicester University.
- Bibliographical companion to a Mayan Archaeoastronomy course run by Tulane University.
- Dr. Mark Hollabaugh presents his ethnographic research of Lakota 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.
- This site makes extensive use of Quicktime to describe and demonstrate the workings of an Hohokam observatory.
- 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.
- Rajesh Mirchandani looks at the ancient cosmologies of Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and India. Requires Real Player.
- Introduction to basic archaeoastronomical concepts with examples from across the world.
- An article on how a German "Stonehenge" may be the world's oldest observatory.
- Contact details for this international academic society.
- Homepage of the Hanwakan Center, organized for the gathering of traditions and stories born of mankind's interaction with the physical environment and his understanding of the relationship between earth and sky.
- A controversial discovery of a 16,000-year-old "map of the night sky" in Lascaux caves. BBC article.
- 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.
- A slide show of Anasazi astronomical sites with extensive notes.
- Well referenced article by Steven Mizrach upon astronomy as practiced by the Lakota.
- 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.
- A possible astronomical observatory has been found near Goseck, eastern Germany. From the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (English Edition).

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