Archeoastronomy The study of the astronomical practices, celestial lore, mythologies, religions and world-views of all ancient cultures.
Early Astronomy Why People Began to Watch the Sky 2000B.C. Time Navigation Religion Entertainment 2000B.C. First constellations recorded by Sumerians is first written astronomy-but astronomy is still older
Astronomy Timeline 3500B.C.-Construction of Stonehenge I begins. 2500B.C.-Pyramids in Egypt. 2300B.C.-Megaliths appear at Stonehenge 1400B.C.-Chinese record solar eclipse 500B.C.-Babylonian astronomy reaches highest point 300B.C.-Greek astronomy reaches its height Eratosthenes determines size of the earth 135B.C.-Hipparchus develops first star catalog and measures star brightness
Astronomy Timeline Continued 100B.C.-Chinese astronomers estimate size of the round earth and moon 28B.C.- Chinese record sunspots 200A.D.-Teotihuacan Empire reaches its height 250A.D.-Rise of Mayans, 300A.D.-Nazca Culture in Peru 500A.D.-Rise of Anasazi in American Southwest 820A.D.-Muslim astronomy begins
Astronomy Timeline Continued 900A.D.-End of Mayan period/Begin Mississippian culture 920A.D.-Building of Uxmal in Yucatan 940A.D.-Oldest Chinese star map 1000A.D.-Caracol at Chichen Itza constructed 1100A.D.-Decline and disappearance of Anasazi 1200A.D.-Rise of Inca 1300A.D.-Aztec Civilization Rises/Height of Cahokia
Stonehenge It’s the oldest timepiece in existence. Designed for astronomical observation. Located in Southern England. Helps in predicting eclipses & cycles of moon. Aligns at the solstice’s.
Map of Stonehenge
Stonehenge Astronomy
Egyptian Pyramidal Astronomy Astronomy used for positioning of the pyramids. Vents & passageways align with specific stars. Pyramids are slightly off. (Plate Tectonics?) Divide the sky into constellations.
Pyramid of Giza
The Teotihuacan Civilization located in Mexico (approx. 600 A.D.). Calendar with moon phases. Built 2 important pyramids – sun & moon. Pyramids are flat topped.
Teotihuacan Pyramid
The Maya Portrayed ecliptic in art work. Concluded year was slightly more than 365 days (Evidence of a calendar system). Observed Venus & Mercury when visible (observatories). Math – they created the number 0 Also created a writing system (hieroglyphics). Civilization found in Mexico.
Mayan Architecture Caracol
The Nazca Built lines in the Earth for aliens. (500 B.C.) Located in Peru. (South America) Nazca lines that they created are known as “geoglyphs”.
Nazca Geoglyphs
The Anasazi Known for their agriculture. Saw supernova in 1054 in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. Forecast weather by insect activity & wind direction. “Cliff Dwellers”
Anasazi Architecture
The Inca Interest in dark space between stars. 1200 A.D. Built their cities high in the mountains. Machu Picchu was the capital. Wanted to be closer to the “heavens”.
Incan Architecture
Incan Architecture
The Aztecs 1300 A.D. Observations of nature & all its cycles, stars, and seasons. Built pyramids aligned with solar system. Created a writing system. Created a sun stone calendar (sun dial). Mapped out the sky.
Aztec Architecture
Archeoastronomy in Illinois 1000 A.D. woodhenge in Illinois – allows us to tell time. Used woodhenge for harvest. This was an ancient calendar built in the Mississippian landscape. (Collinsville, IL)
Map of Cahokia
Monk’s Mound
Woodhenge Amesbury, England (thought to be older than Stonehenge). Many made through out the world. “Wooden Stonehenge” Sun aligned with poles at solstices, equinoxes, and other important dates Religious
Woodhenge
The End