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– Time– Navigation– Religion– Entertainment

2000B.C.– First constellations

recorded by Sumerians is first written astronomy-but astronomy is still older

Astronomy Timeline3500B.C.-Construction of Stonehenge I begins.2500B.C.-Pyramids in Egypt.2300B.C.-Megaliths appear at Stonehenge1400B.C.-Chinese record solar eclipse500B.C.-Babylonian astronomy reaches highest point300B.C.-Greek astronomy reaches its heightEratosthenes determines size of the earth135B.C.-Hipparchus develops first star catalog and measures star brightness

Astronomy Timeline Continued100B.C.-Chinese astronomers estimate size of the round earth and moon28B.C.- Chinese record sunspots200A.D.-Teotihuacan Empire reaches its height250A.D.-Rise of Mayans, 300A.D.-Nazca Culture in Peru500A.D.-Rise of Anasazi in American Southwest820A.D.-Muslim astronomy begins

Astronomy Timeline Continued900A.D.-End of Mayan period/Begin Mississippian culture920A.D.-Building of Uxmal in Yucatan940A.D.-Oldest Chinese star map1000A.D.-Caracol at Chichen Itza constructed1100A.D.-Decline and disappearance of Anasazi1200A.D.-Rise of Inca1300A.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 AstronomyAstronomy 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 0Also created a writing system (hieroglyphics).Civilization found in Mexico.

Mayan Architecture

Caracol

The NazcaBuilt 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 Aztecs1300 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 datesReligious

Woodhenge

The End