archaeocosmology. part one: archaeography and maeshowe
TRANSCRIPT
Who am I...
In 1996, I started with Scottish monuments (incl. Maeshowe, Orkney)
Measured azimuth of the Dutch and German passage graves Using the Moon, I simulated the Sun of 5000 years ago inside
Newgrange, Ireland Observed/broadcasted the winter solstice at Maeshowe Observed/broadcasted the 2006 major standstill limit at
Calanais, Lewis, Scotland Equinox observations at Treasury of Atreus, Mycenae, Greece Measured azimuths of Minoan graves, Crete I am a numbers and observational person; and I like the
scientific approach I am learning the magical, mystical; and artistic ways of live
Content
Archaeography... The visualization of astronomy at
Maeshowe... Equinox at Treasury of Atreus...
Archaeography
Formulated by Tom Graves and Liz Poray-Wilczynska
A method to get a feel for the Spirit of Place Allowing subjective responses to the past Experiencing it in the Place Interaction of Place, time and mind.
Archaeography
Allow both mechanical/scientific and aesthetic experiences
Look at experiences in different ways: Value and/or Truth Outer/Objective and/or Inner/Subjective
This gives four roles...
The four roles
Artist
ArtistSensing/feeling
ArtistSensing/feeling
Mystic
MysticBelonging/belief
MysticBelonging/belief
Scientist
ScientistAnalysis/fact
GPS measurements of Erdeven
ScientistAnalysis/fact
Archaeological dig
Magician
MagicianApplication/use
Was it used for: maps?... geometry (3:4:5)?... predicting eclipses?... knowing the seasons?... learning what was in the
minds?...
MagicianApplication/use
Cover up the former site
Be on the highest point
What time does?
We don’t know if our present day thinking was true and/or valued by former people.
Each epoch has its own truths/values In Neolithic times the same roles existed,
but they might be totally different. Even closely related cultures don’t have to
have the same truths/values. They can, but it is not law!
Restriction reduces the wealth of possibilities/ideas
Keep in mind the four roles
Content
Archaeography... The visualization of astronomy at
Maeshowe... Equinox at Treasury of Atreus...
Maeshowe
Ward Hill and Cuilags
Orkney Scotland
Maeshowe a neolithic cairn
Build around 2800 BCE A virtual world of landscape, sun and
monument was made:first using spreadsheet and later 3D world
This led to re-discovery of reappearing light in chamber
Setting sun
Ward Hill and Cuilags
Back wall
25
Reappearing sun light~23 days before/after winter solstice day
Ward Hill and Cuilags
Back wall
Astronomy aware 3D world
3D landscape (Neolithic) monuments Movements of the Moon and the Sun
aim: from 3000 BCE until now Web accessible: using VRML Unique in its kind
Ring of Brodgar, Watchstone, Standing stones of Stenness, Maeshowe, Barnhouse Stone, etc.
3D landscape around MaeshoweNov. 29th, 2000
Reappearing sun light~45 days before/after winter solstice day
Sun set at CuilagsJan. 31st, 2001
Reappearing in MaeshoweDec. 1st, 1998
Roles used
Content
Archaeography... The visualization of astronomy at
Maeshowe... Equinox at Treasury of Atreus...
<go to http://www.slideshare.net/vreijs1/carnac-second03 >