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 –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 Built 2800-1800 B.C. It’s the oldest timepiece in existence Designed for astronomical observation It’s a monument in S. England Helps in predicting eclipses & cycles of moon Aligns at the solstices

7. Map of Stonehenge

8. Stonehenge Astronomy

9. The Maya Believed that Earth was flat with 4 corners 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

10. Mayan Architecture Caracol

11. The Nazca Built lines for aliens 300 A.D. Located in Peru Nazca lines that they created are known as “geoglyphs” Since these lines are on a flat surface and its climate is extremely dry, nearly all geoglyphs remain completely intact. Appeared 500 B.C.

12. Nazca Geoglyphs