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.)
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Subcategories 7
Related categories 3
Sites 32
An article on the Borana Calendar by Laurance Doyle of the SETI Institute.
The Exploratorium's multimedia website on the site of Chaco Canyon. Includes a webcast from the Winter Solstice 2004.
Archaeoastronomy Lecture notes and photographs from Leicester University.
Study of rupestral engravings in Italy.
Rajesh Mirchandani looks at the ancient cosmologies of Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and India. Requires Real Player.
Dr Kate Spence's theory of the cardinal alignment of Great Pyramid explained.
Article rebutting Kate Spence's theory that the pyramids were aligned to north by using the simultaneous transit of two circumpolar stars.
Astronomical analysis of petroglyphs on sandstone panels, Arizona.
Founded in 1978 at the University of Maryland to advance research, education and public awareness of archaeoastronomy.
A multimedia introduction to archaeoastronomy and ethnoastronomy suitable for K-12 teachers and students. Part of the University of Chicago's Digital Library.
Largely German description of the Bronze Age artefact umearthed in Saxony-Anhalt, with FAQs in English.
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 detailed examination of M. Griaule's 1950 paper "Un Systeme Soudanais de Sirius".
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.
A controversial discovery of a 16,000-year-old "map of the night sky" in Lascaux caves. BBC article.
Contact details for this international academic society.
Ligurian Archaeoastronomy, mainly in Italian but with some English and German translations.
An introduction the to astronomical theories surrounding these Irish Neolithic Cairns.
BBC Radio 4 interview on the methodology of archaeoastronomy with Prof. Clive Ruggles and Dr. Frank Prendergast. Requires Real Player.
Re-evaluation of the existence of the Megalithic Calendar proposed by Alexander Thom.
Newgrange is a 5000 year old mound near the River Boyne in Ireland. An inner chamber is illuminated by the rising sun on mornings around the winter solstice.
Observe video of light/shadow interplay on 1,000+ year old rock art marking equinox sunrise at a remote, newly discovered Colorado site.
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.
British Egyptologist puts forward an astronomical theory for the northern alignment of the Great Pyramid at Giza. BBC article.
An interdisciplinary website dedicated to research, education and care of heritage in Astronomy in Culture.
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.
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.
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.
Ancient stone circles and tombs in Ireland align with the Sun and the Moon, say astronomers. BBC Article
(April 08, 2003)
The BBC's science editor comes face to face with what is claimed to be the oldest map of the Moon ever made.
(March 06, 2001)
A unique prehistoric tomb in Ireland has been revealed to align to both the midsummer Sun and the midwinter Moon. BBC article
(April 08, 1999)
Discovery of a 6,500-year-old monument at Nabta, Egypt. BBC article.
(April 01, 1998)
Largely German description of the Bronze Age artefact umearthed in Saxony-Anhalt, with FAQs in English.
Newgrange is a 5000 year old mound near the River Boyne in Ireland. An inner chamber is illuminated by the rising sun on mornings around the winter solstice.
A detailed examination of M. Griaule's 1950 paper "Un Systeme Soudanais de Sirius".
Founded in 1978 at the University of Maryland to advance research, education and public awareness of archaeoastronomy.
Contact details for this international academic society.
Article rebutting Kate Spence's theory that the pyramids were aligned to north by using the simultaneous transit of two circumpolar stars.
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.
A multimedia introduction to archaeoastronomy and ethnoastronomy suitable for K-12 teachers and students. Part of the University of Chicago's Digital Library.
An article on the Borana Calendar by Laurance Doyle of the SETI Institute.
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.
BBC Radio 4 interview on the methodology of archaeoastronomy with Prof. Clive Ruggles and Dr. Frank Prendergast. Requires Real Player.
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.
Astronomical analysis of petroglyphs on sandstone panels, Arizona.
Re-evaluation of the existence of the Megalithic Calendar proposed by Alexander Thom.
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.
Dr Kate Spence's theory of the cardinal alignment of Great Pyramid explained.
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.
Study of rupestral engravings in Italy.
Ligurian Archaeoastronomy, mainly in Italian but with some English and German translations.
Rajesh Mirchandani looks at the ancient cosmologies of Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and India. Requires Real Player.
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.
The Exploratorium's multimedia website on the site of Chaco Canyon. Includes a webcast from the Winter Solstice 2004.
Archaeoastronomy Lecture notes and photographs from Leicester University.
An introduction the to astronomical theories surrounding these Irish Neolithic Cairns.
Observe video of light/shadow interplay on 1,000+ year old rock art marking equinox sunrise at a remote, newly discovered Colorado site.
An interdisciplinary website dedicated to research, education and care of heritage in Astronomy in Culture.
A controversial discovery of a 16,000-year-old "map of the night sky" in Lascaux caves. BBC article.
British Egyptologist puts forward an astronomical theory for the northern alignment of the Great Pyramid at Giza. BBC article.
Ancient stone circles and tombs in Ireland align with the Sun and the Moon, say astronomers. BBC Article
(April 08, 2003)
The BBC's science editor comes face to face with what is claimed to be the oldest map of the Moon ever made.
(March 06, 2001)
A unique prehistoric tomb in Ireland has been revealed to align to both the midsummer Sun and the midwinter Moon. BBC article
(April 08, 1999)
Discovery of a 6,500-year-old monument at Nabta, Egypt. BBC article.
(April 01, 1998)
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