Archaeoastronomy is a multidisciplinary research area that investigates how past human societies understood, utilized, and culturally integrated astronomical phenomena, using methods from archaeology, astronomy, anthropology, and related fields. It analyzes the spatial orientation and architectural alignments of structures, artifact iconography, landscape features, and calendrical or ritual practices to infer intentional relationships with celestial bodies and cycles. The field emphasizes rigorous statistical, geometric, and observational tests to distinguish deliberate astronomical design from chance alignments, and integrates contextual archaeological evidence to interpret cosmological models, timekeeping systems, ritual landscapes, and the role of celestial knowledge in social organization and belief systems.
The British astronomer and mathematician Edmond Halley was not, after all, the first to understand the cycle of the comet that now bears his name. This is shown by research conducted by, among others, Professor Simon Portegies ...
Astronomy
Jan 23, 2026
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Many researchers have spent decades attempting to decode biblical descriptions and link them to verifiable historical events. One such description is that of the Star of Bethlehem—a bright astronomical body that was said ...
An international team of researchers has used knowledge of historical geography to reexamine the earliest datable total solar eclipse record known to the scientific community, enabling accurate measurements of Earth's variable ...
Astronomy
Dec 2, 2025
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It's great to see old astronomical observations come to light. Not only can these confirm or refute what's known about historic astronomical events, but they can describe what early observers actually saw.
Astronomy
Oct 14, 2025
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The astronomical records of imperial China are some of the most comprehensive archives in the history of science, spanning over two millennia, from 221 BC to 1911 AD, and providing detailed insight into phenomena ranging ...
Astronomy
Jun 3, 2025
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Identifying ancient Chinese astronomical events represents a fascinating aspect of modern astrophysics. Chinese astronomers maintained meticulous records of celestial events for more than 2 millennia, documenting everything ...
Astronomy
Jun 2, 2025
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