Publication

2008 - ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara, New York (State)

Language

English

Word Count

129,500 words, Guess

Page Count

518 pages

Physical Format

Electronic resource

Identifiers

and 1 more
  • OverDriveADC7CC68-593D-43FD-91C6-546E7711939B

Classifications

  • LCCQB16 .R84 2005
  • DDC520/.93/03

Description

Ancient Astronomy: An Encyclopedia of Cosmologies and Myth draws on archaeological evidence and oral traditions to reveal how prehistoric humans perceived the skies and celestial phenomena. With over 200 entries, it offers a number of ways to approach ancient astronomy, from key examples and case studies worldwide (Stonehenge; Mexican and Egyptian pyramids; Chaco Canyon, New Mexico; the Nazca lines in Peru) to general themes (cosmologies, calendars, ancient ideas of space and time, origin myths), to fundamental concepts and methods (how the sky has changed over the centuries, how to survey a site), and to the field's most frequently asked questions (How did ancient peoples navigate the ocean using the stars? How does astrology relate to ancient astronomy? Can ancient sites be dated astronomically?)||By revealing the astronomical significance of some of the world's most famous ancient landmarks and enduring myths and by showing how different themes and concepts are connected, Ancient Astronomy: An Encyclopedia of Cosmologies and Myth brings a unique authoritative perspective to an area too often left to speculation and sensationalism.

Description

"In Ancient Astronomy: An Encyclopedia of Cosmologies and Myth, one of the world's leading archaeoastronomers offers the reader a number of ways to approach the question of ancient people's relationship to the sky." "Ancient Astronomy brings a unique authoritative perspective to an area too often left to speculation and sensationalism. It provides readers not only with critical assessments of a range of facts and theories, but also with the concepts and tools to critically examine new evidence and claims for themselves. The book is equally suitable for the general reader, subject specialist, or anyone eager to distinguish sound evidence and key themes of archaeoastronomy from unsupported speculation and common misperceptions."--Jacket.

Subjects

Other Editions

  • Ancient AstronomyElectronic resourceABC-CLIO2008

Reader Reviews

No reviews yet for this book.

Be the first to share your thoughts!