Announcements• For next time: read Chapter 2. Come to class Friday
with a question to pose to the class for discussion. Be prepared to lead the discussion.
• Let me know the book you want to do your 1st project on as soon as you decide. First-come-first-served with no duplication is allowed.
• Dark Sky Observing Night this Thursday. Forecast is iffy. I’ll know more by Wednesday. Activities start at 8:30pm so set-up begins at 7:30pm.
Chapter 1Astronomy Before History
Hopi horizon calendar: sunset in the San Francisco peaks near Flagstaff Arizona
Newgrange, Ireland
The “door” of Newgrange
Alentejo Neolithic Tombs
Alentejo Tombs
Taula Sanctuaries on the island of Menorca, Spain
Stonehenge
Lay-out of Stonehenge
Construction Stages of Stonehenge
Other Megalithic Structures
Carnac, France
Callanish, Scotland
Ring of Kerry, Ireland
Megalithic Cultures of Europe
Mesoamerican Astronomy
The Mayan carved stone hieroglyphs in their structures
The Mayan Calendar
They had three cycles in their calendar: 365 days, 360 days and 260 days. They were also big on the cycles of Venus (584 days).
The Dresden Codec
Most Mayan texts were destroyed by the Spanish Conquistadores but a few survived
North American Indian Astronomy
Chaco Canyon New Mexico
There are a number of sites in New Mexico and Arizona
The Sun Dagger at Chaco Canyon
Modern Day Primitive Cultures
There are cultures in Africa and the Amazon of South America that live in isolation. Understanding their view of astronomy can help us understand those of pre-historic societies