World archaeoastronomy : selected papers from the 2nd Oxford International Conference on Archaeoastronomy, held at Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, 13-17 January 1986

Selected papers from the 2nd Oxford International Conference on Archaeoastronomy held January, 1986. Thirty-eight contributions are grouped into three sections addressing: the boundaries of archaeoastronomy overviews and synthesis; the textual basis; and archaeoastronomy as an interdiscipline in practice. Typeset and nicely bound. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. Frontmatter List of contributors (page vii) Preface (page xi) PART 1 THE BOUNDARIES OF ARCHAEOASTRONOMY: OVERVIEWS AND SYNTHESES 1 Introduction: Whither archaeoastronomy? (A. F. Aveni, page 3) 2 Recent developments in megalithic astronomy (C. L. N. Ruggles, page 13) 3 Exploring some anthropological theoretical foundations for archaeoastronomy (Stanislaw Iwaniszewski, page 27) 4 Reflections on the role of archaeoastronomy in the history of astronomy (Owen Gingerich, page 38) 5 The king, the capital and the stars: the symbolism of authority in Aztec religion (David Carrasco, page 45) 6 Chinese archaeoastronomy: between two worlds (N. Sivin, page 55) 7 The cosmic temples of old Beijing (E. C. Krupp, page 65) 8 Ancient Maya ethnoastronomy: an overview of hieroglyphic sources (John S. Justeson, page 76) 9 Cosmological, symbolic and cultural complexity among the contemporary Maya of Yucatan (John R. Sosa, page 130) 10 Keeping the sacred and planting calendar: archaeoastronomy in the Pueblo Southwest (Michael Zeilik, page 143) 11 The Southwest connection: similarities between Western Puebloan and Mesoamerican cosmology (M. Jane Young, page 167) PART 2 ARCHAEOASTRONOMY: THE TEXTUAL BASIS 12 Antares year in ancient China (I. Ecsedy,K. Barlai, R. Dvorak, R. Schult, page 183) 13 Comets and meteors in the last Assyrian Empire (Robert Chadwick, page 186) 14 The ancient Vedic dice game and the names of the four world ages in Hinduism (Luis González-Reimann, page 195) 15 The origin of the Chinese lunar lodge system (David S. Nivison, page 203) 16 A reflection on the ancient Mesoamerican ethos (Miguel León-Portilla, page 219) 17 The Mexica leap year once again (Carmen Aguilera, page 227) 18 Astronomical references in the table on pages 61 to 69 of the Dresden Codex (Victoria R. Bricker and Harvey M. Bricker, page 232) 19 A Palenque king and the planet Jupiter (Floyd G. Lounsbury, page 246) 20 A new Sun at Chichen Itza (Clemency Chase Coggins, page 260) 21 Zodiac signs, number sets, and astronomical cycles in Mesoamerica (Gordon Brotherston, page 276) 22 Comets and falling stars in the perception of Mesoamerican Indians (Ulrich Köhler, page 289) 23 Cosmic ideograms on petroglyphs of the Mesoamerican cultures of 'El Zape' region in Durango, Mexico (Alejandro Peschard Fernandez, Jaime Ganot Rodriguez and Jesus F.Lazalde Montoya, page 300) 24 North American Indian calendar sticks: the evidence for a widely distributed tradition (Alexander Marshack, page 308) 25 A re-examination of the Winnebago calendar stick (William Breen Murray, page 325) 26 Navajo Indian star ceilings (Von Del Chamberlain, page 331) 27 A quipu calendar from Ica, Peru, with a comparison to the ceque calendar from Cuzco (R. Tom Zuidema, page 341) PART 3 ARCHAEOASTRONOMY: AN INTERDISCIPLINE IN PRACTICE 28 Lunar astronomies of the western pueblos (Stephen C. McCluskey, page 355) 29 The Great North Road: a cosmographic expression of the Chaco culture of New Mexico (Anna Sofaer, Michael P. Marshall and Rolf M. Sinclair, page 365) 30 The rise and fall of the Sun Temple of Konarak: the temple versus the solar orb (J. McKim Malville, page 377) 31 Cognitive aspects of ancient Maya eclipse theory (Michael P. Closs, page 389) 32 The use of astronomy in political statements at Yaxchilan, Mexico (Carolyn Tate, page 416) 33 Further studies on the astronomical orientation of medieval churches in Austria (Maria G. Firneis and Christian Köberl, page 430) 34 Some archaeoastronomical problems in East-Central Europe (K. Barlai, page 436) 35 Uaxactun, Guatemala, Group E and similar assemblages:an archaeoastronomical reconsideration (A. F. Aveni and H. Hartung, page 441) 36 Inca observatories: their relation to the calendar and ritual (D. S. P. Dearborn and R. E. White, page 462) 37 The year at Drombeg (Ronald Hicks, page 470) Star walking - the preliminary report (Claire Farrer, page 483) PART 4 ADDITIONAL ABSTRACTS SUBMITTED (page 491) Index (page 501) Introduction : Whither Archaeoastronomy? / A.f. Aveni -- Recent Developments In Megalithic Astronomy / C.l.n. Ruggles -- Exploring Some Anthropological Theoretical Foundations For Archaeoastronomy / Stanislaw Iwaniszewski -- Reflections On The Role Of Archaeoastronomy In The History Of Astronomy / Owen Gingerich -- The King, The Capital And The Stars : The Symbolism Of Authority In Aztec Religion / David Carrasco -- Chinese Archaeoastronomy : Between Two Worlds / N. Sivin -- The Cosmic Temples Of Old Beijing / E.c. Krupp -- Ancient Maya Ethnoastronomy : An Overview Of Hieroglyphic Sources / John S. Justeson -- Cosmological, Symbolic And Cultural Complexity Among The Contemporary Maya Of Yucatan / John R. Sosa -- Keeping The Sacred And Planting Calendar : Archaeoastronomy In The Pueblo Southwest / Michael Zeilik -- The Southwest Connection : Similarities Between Western Puebloan And Mesoamerican Cosmology / M. Jane Young -- Antares Year In Ancient China / I. Ecsedy [and Others] --^ Comets And Meteors In The Last Assyrian Empire / Robert Chadwick -- The Ancient Vedic Dice Game And The Names Of The Four World Ages In Hinduism / Luis González-reimann -- The Origin Of The Chinese Lunar Lodge System / David S. Nivison -- A Reflection Of The Ancient Mesoamerican Ethos / Miguel León-portilla -- The Mexica Leap Year Once Again / Carmen Aguilera -- Astronomical References In The Table On Pages 61 To 69 Of The Dresden Codex / Victoria R. Bricker And Harvey M. Bricker -- A Palenque King And The Planet Jupiter / Floyd G. Lounsbury -- A New Sun At Chichen Itza / Clemency Chase Coggins -- Zodiac Signs, Number Sets, And Astronomical Cycles In Mesoamerica / Gordon Brotherston -- Comets And Falling Stars In The Perception Of Mesoamerican Indians / Ulrich Köhler -- Cosmic Ideograms On Petroglyphs Of The Mesoamerican Cultures Of 'el Zape' Region In Durango, Mexico / Alejandro Peschard Fernandez, Jaime Ganot Rodriquez And Jesus F. Lazalde Montoya --^ North American Indian Calendar Sticks : The Evidence For A Widely Distributed Tradition / Alexander Marshack -- A Re-examination Of The Winnebago Calendar Stick / William Breen Murray -- Navajo Indian Star Ceilings / Von Del Chamberlain -- A Quipu Calendar From Ica, Peru, With A Comparison To The Ceque Calendar From Cuzco / R. Tom Zuidema -- Lunar Astronomies Of The Western Pueblos / Stephen C. Mccluskey -- The Great North Road : A Cosmographic Expression Of The Chaco Culture Of New Mexico / Anna Sofaer, Michael P. Marshall And Rolf M. Sinclair -- The Rise And Fall Of The Sun Temple Of Konarak : The Temple Versus The Solar Orb / J. Mckim Malville -- Cognitive Aspects Of Ancient Maya Eclipse Theory / Michael P. Closs -- The Use Of Astronomy In Political Statements At Yaxchilan, Mexico / Carolyn Tate -- Further Studies On The Astronomical Orientation Of Medieval Churches In Austria / Maria G. Firneis And Christian Köberl --^ Some Archaeoastronomical Problems In East-central Europe / K. Barlai -- Uaxactun, Guatemala, Group E And Similar Assemblages : An Archaeoastronomical Reconsideration / A.f. Aveni And H. Hartung -- Inca Observatories : Their Relation To The Calendar And Ritual / D.s.p. Dearborn And R.e. White -- The Year At Drombeg / Ronald Hicks -- Starwalking -- The Preliminary Report / Claire Farrer. Edited By A.f. Aveni. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This is a collection of forty papers on world archaeoastronomy given at an international conference held at Merida, Yucatan, Mexico in 1986 that explore the meaning of astronomy to ancient peoples through a study of their texts and oral traditions. The book features an interdisciplinary approach that brings together authors from a variety of fields, such as history, anthropology, archaeology, art history, and astronomy. The first part of the book reviews sites, areas and cultures of importance in archaeoastronomy. This is followed by an examination of the written record, particularly for Mesoamerica. In the third section, the text records are related to the unwritten testimonies of sites, buildings and alignments that seem to have astronomical significance. Throughout the text, the contributors attempt to define the subject and what it has achieved. This work comprises a collection of papers on this topic given at an international conference held at Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. The essays attempt to explain the significance of astronomy to ancient peoples through a study of their texts and oral traditions.