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
Built 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. Egyptian Pyramidal Astronomy
Astronomy used for positioning of the pyramids
Vents & passageways align with specific stars
Pyramids are slightly off
Divide the sky into constellations
These are known as star clocks
“Diagonal calendars”
Calendars – 3 seasons

10. Pyramid of Giza

11. The Teotihuacan Population over 200,000 people Around Mexico city
Largest city in ancient world
650 A.D. – great fire swept the city
Calendar with moon phases
2 important pyramids – sun & moon
Pyramids are flat topped

12. Teotihuacan Pyramid

13. 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

14. Mayan Architecture
Caracol

15. 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.

16. Nazca Geoglyphs

17. The Anasazi 2,000 years ago Known for their agriculture
Found supernova in 1054 in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico
Located North Pole using trellis twigs
Forecast weather by insect activity & wind direction

18. Anasazi Architecture

19. The Inca Interest in dark space between stars
Observed sun in small caves – built with windows that centered around winter solstice
1200 A.D.
Built their cities high in the moutains (Machu Picchu)

20. Incan Architecture

21. Incan Architecture

22. The Aztecs
1300 A.D.
Observes of nature & all its cycles, stars, seasons
Counting systems based on #20
Pyramids aligned with solar system
2 calendars – religion & time
Created a writing system
Created a sun stone calendar
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

25. Map of Cahokia

26. Monk’s Mound

27. Woodhenge Amesbury, England Many made through out the world
“Wooden Stonehenge”
Central sun – watching station
Sun aligned with poles at solstices, equinoxes, and other important dates
Religious

28. Woodhenge

29. The End