Archaeoastronomy

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that archaeoastronomy is the study of the astronomical practices, celestial lore, mythologies, religions and world-views of all ancient cultures. The author points out that many of the great monuments and ceremonial constructions of early civilizations, such as the Great Pyramid at Giza in Egypt, were astronomically aligned. The paper relates that many of the major structures of Mesoamerica have been found to have an astronomical connection. The author states that the astronomical knowledge of these ancient people from different parts of the world were not connected in any known way yet they undertook some similar approaches to studying the skies and to building monumental structures with astronomical purposes. The paper examines the Mesoamerican sites of the Olmec, the Teotihuacan, the Toltec, the Mayan, the Zapotec and the Aztec civilizations.

From the Paper:

"The links between the Olmec and the later Maya are numerous, and some believe that the Olmec may have been Maya speakers. Olmec emerged around 1,500 B.C. and came to dominate most of Mesoamerica. Olmec-style monumental art and architecture developed in the northwestern and southeastern edges of the lowlands. Much of this monumental art shows squat figures topped by rounded hats as a key feature of this art. In the southern lowlands during the Classic period, progressive growth and increasing complexity were the norm."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Henderson, John S. The World of the Ancient Maya. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 1997.
• "Chichen Itza," Ancient Observatories Timeless Knowledge, Issue 22 (2005), http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2005/locations/chichen_itza.htm.
• "Exploring Ancient Mexico," Sunset (November 1, 1985), http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-4001746.html, para. 26.
• "Maya Astronomy," Astra's Star Gate (February 14, 2007), http://www.astras-stargate.com/mayastro.htm.
• "Mexico," UNESCO World Heritage Sites (2007), http://www.thereareplaces.com/Guidebook/pdest/Northamr/mxwho3.htm.

More papers on Archaeoastronomy:

• Descriptive Essay # 131985 : "Mesoamerican Archaeoastronomy"
• Research Paper # 39119 : "Stonehenge"

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