Archaeoastronomy
Astronomical Observatories
Astronomical observatories have been built by humans for thousands of years, all over the world. Here's a selection of the some of the most interesting.
Archaeoastronomy
A bibliography of recent books and journals on astronomy in the ancient world, compiled by David Dearborn
The Ancient Astronomical Observatory of Rujm el-Hiri, Syria
The 5,000 year old megalithic building in the Golan Heights called Rujm el-Hiri was apparently intended for star-watching in Israel; that certainly seems like an appropriate topic for the season. Happy holidays, everyone!
Archaeoastronomy and Ethnoastronomy News
Complete issues beginning with the first newsletter in 1991 through 1998.
Archaeoastronomy Web Sites
An online website, built here for About.com by David Dearborn of the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory.
Archaeoastronomy
An interview with David Dearborn.
Archaeology Book Review: Skywatchers
Anthony Aveni's book Skywatchers is an encyclopedic coverage of naked-eye astronomy and the mathematical and astronomical interpretations of Mesoamerican codices across Latin America, accompanied by voluminous appendices and specialized bibliographies.
Bibliographic Resource Material
From David Dearborn
Brickell Site
May be an observatory, according to one theory.
Chaco Canyon: Ancient Observatories
From the Exploratorium, a teaching resource about climate and astronomy based on Chaco Canyon. Well worth a trip; takes Macromedia Flash.
Class Resource Material
Part of a website by David Dearborn
Shaw Butte Hilltop
A virtual visit to a tiny rockshelter in the Shaw Butte, decorated with Hohokam petroglyphs and thought to be an astronomical observatory, from Todd Bostwick and Stan Plum.
Skywatchers
Skytwatchers is Anthony Aveni's introduction to the study of archaeoastronomy, and an explanation of how skywatching worked before the invention of the telescope, and an investigation into precolumbian scientific practices.
Stonehenge: The Online Bibliography
From Chris Woodford of Archaeologists and Development, the quintessential observatory.
Trivia Quiz: Rujm el Hiri
Test your trivia knowledge about the ancient site of Rujm el Hiri in this quick quiz.
Cosmology
Cosmology is the intersection between astronomy and religion; many if not most prehistoric cultures studied the movement of the stars and planets as part of a religious rituals.