1. Archeoastronomy
The study of the astronomical practices, celestial lore, mythologies, religions and world-views of all ancient cultures.

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. Map of Stonehenge

8. Stonehenge Astronomy

9. 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.

10. Pyramid of Giza

11. The Teotihuacan Civilization located in Mexico (approx. 600 A.D.).
Calendar with moon phases.
Built 2 important pyramids – sun & moon.
Pyramids are flat topped.

12. Teotihuacan Pyramid

13. 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.

14. Mayan Architecture
Caracol

15. 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”.

16. Nazca Geoglyphs

17. The Anasazi Known for their agriculture.
Saw supernova in 1054 in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico.
Forecast weather by insect activity & wind direction.
“Cliff Dwellers”

18. Anasazi Architecture

19. 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”.

20. Incan Architecture

21. Incan Architecture

22. 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.

23. Aztec Architecture

24. 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)

25. Map of Cahokia

26. Monk’s Mound

27. 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

28. Woodhenge

29. The End