Archaeoastronomy Research Paper

Archaeoastronomy derives its name from the combination of archaeology and astronomy and the term archaeoastronomy has been used since 19691. This field is an interdisciplinary study area that includes archaeology, anthropology, ethnology, and mythology together with astronomy2. The professional research organization, the Center for Archaeoastronomy, describes Archaeoastronomy as “a study of the astronomical practices, celestial lore, mythologies, religions and world-views of all ancient cultures”3. Hawkins used the term “astro-archaeology” to name studies that sought evidence for impact of astronomical events on archaeological finds, and later Thom preferred to use the term “Megalithic Astronomy”4 for his studies. On the other hand, MacKie …show more content…
Ruggles defined Archaeoastronomy as the study of beliefs and practices concerning the sky, particularly in prehistory, and the uses of astronomical knowledge9. Archaeoastronomical studies do not only concern with the spatial patterning and monumental constructions but also with artefacts, iconography, inscriptions, historical documentation, and written accounts that revealing evidence of ancient human perceptions and actions relating to the celestial phenomena10. It provides new perspectives for the history of human race and their interaction with the …show more content…
Brown Archaeoastronomy is a term to describe the study that alignment is not primarily focus of it, instead, it is concerned with much broader range of evidences form humanities and social science disciplines such as history, cultural anthropology, ethnography, history of religions, and so on. This approach emerged in North America focusing particularly in native North America and pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, in archaeoastronomy during the