Exploring Ancient Skies

An Encyclopedic Survey of Archaeoastronomy

Libro de David H. Kelley y Eugene F. Milone (2005)

Contrenido:

1. Historical Perspectives

1.1. Perspectives of Ancient Astronomy
1.2. Archaeological, Anthropological, and Historical Contexts

Part I. Astronomical Background

2. Principal Features of the Sky

2.1. Star Patterns: Asterisms and Constellations
2.2. The Sphere of the Sky
2.3. Basic Motions of the Sun and Moon
2.4. The Planets

3. Observational Methods and Problems

3.1. Visibility of Phenomena
3.2. Types of Ancient Observations
3.3. Instruments and Observatories
3.4. Possibilities of Optical Aids

4. Time and the Calendar

4.1. The Perception and Measurement of Time
4.2. The Bases and Functions of Calendars
4.3. Chronology
4.4. Astronomical Dating of Artifacts and Cultures
4.5. Causes and Effects of Secular Variation

5. Transient Phenomena
5.1. Atmospheric Phenomena
5.2. Solar and Lunar Eclipses
5.3. Other Solar and Lunar Phenomena
5.4. Planetary Phenomena
5.5. Comets
5.6. Meteors and Meteorites
5.7. Zodiacal Light
5.8. Variable Stars

Part II. Astronomy in Cultures

6. Paleolithic and Neolithic Cultures
7. Antecedents of the Western Tradition
8. African Cultures
9. Indo-Iranian Cultures
10. China, Korea, and Japan
11. Oceanic Cultures
12. Mesoamerica
13. America North of Mexico
14. South American Cultures
15. The Descent of the Gods and the Purposes of Ancient Astronomy

Appendices

A. Archaeoastronomy Tools
A.1. Introduction
A.2. Spherical Astronomy Aids
A.3. Computational and Sky Simulation Software
A.4. Planetary Positions
A.5. Miscellaneous Tables
B. Modern Star Charts
C. Sample Exercises and Problems
D. Mayan Calendar Progression: A Sample