Prehistoric Astronomy in the SouthwestArchaeoastonomy is a discipline pioneered at Stonehenge and other megalithic sites in Britain and France. Many sites in the southwestern United States have yielded evidence of the prehistoric Anasazi's intense interest in astronomy, similar to that of the megalithic cultures of Europe. The authors describe the astronomical alignments at the well-known sites of Chaco Canyon and Hovenweep and present new evidence, based on recent field work of alignments at Yellow Jacket and Chimney Rock. Drawing on the archeological evidence, ethnographical parallels with historic pueblo peoples, and mythology from other cultures around the world, the authors present theories about the meaning and function of the mysterious stone alignments and architectural orientations of the prehistoric Southwest -- Back cover. |
Contents
Skywatchers | 21 |
Chaco Canyon and Hovenweep | 27 |
Moonrise and Sunrise Over Chimney Rock | 45 |
Copyright | |
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agricultural Albuquerque aligned ancient appears Archaeoastronomy astronomical Aveni azimuth Basin calendar Casa Rinconada cave celestial equator ceremonial center Chaco Canyon Chacoan Chimney Rock area Chimney Rock Pueblo construction culture cycle dates earth east east-west eastern equinox Ethnoastronomy Fajada Butte feet Figure Frank Eddy Frank Hamilton Cushing full moon heavens high mesa Historic Pueblos Hopi horizon Hovenweep Castle Intermediate Kiva Jean Kindig Kiva kiva rows light and shadow living located lunar standstills major MAJOR STANDSTILL McKim Malville Medieval Maximum Mexico Michael Zeilik MINOR STANDSTILL modern Pueblos moonrise mountains north-south northern observations Penasco Blanco Piedra River planting Pole Pueblo Bonito rising sun ritual road ruin sacred shrines sipapu sky watchers solar solstice sunrise southern spiral standing monolith structure summer solstice sun dagger sun priest Sun rises sun's sunset sunspots sunwatching symbolic temples tion tower tree rings true north wall Williamson winter solstice Yellow Jacket Zuni