Exploring Ancient Skies brings together the methods of archaeology and the insights of modern
astronomy to explore the science of astronomy as it was practiced in various cultures prior to
the invention of the telescope. The book reviews an enormous and growing body of literature on
the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean the Far East and the New World (particularly
Mesoamerica) putting the ancient astronomical materials into their archaeological and cultural
contexts. The authors begin with an overview of the field and proceed to essential aspects of
naked-eye astronomy followed by an examination of specific cultures. The book concludes by
taking into account the purposes of ancient astronomy: astrology navigation calendar
regulation and (not least) the understanding of our place and role in the universe. Skies are
recreated to display critical events as they would have appeared to ancient observers--events
such as the supernova of 1054 A.D. the lion horoscope and the Star of Bethlehem. Exploring
Ancient Skies provides a comprehensive overview of the relationships between astronomy and
other areas of human investigation. It will be useful as a reference for scholars and as a text
for students in both astronomy and archaeology and will be of compelling interest to readers
who seek a broad understanding of our collective intellectual history.
