Astronomy & Astrophysics Seminar: Archaeo-astronomy: a reality check

Zoom: https://tau-ac-il.zoom.us/j/82693800844

Abstract:

There are many megalithic structures around the world; some may indicate an early interest in celestial phenomena. Unfortunately, many charlatans are attracted to such structures, to which they attach outrageously implausible claims. I shall explain what archaeo-astronomy is, then briefly review five (out of many) mainly megalithic structures indicating astronomical interest in the Neolithic period. The published evidence will be put on geographical and temporal planes, attempting to determine whether the astronomical interest developed separately at different sites, to achieve an almost global spread, or whether it originated at a single site from where it diffused globally. My preliminary conclusion supports separate developments that yielded similar outcomes (convergence theory), to support the societal needs of a nomadic hunter-gatherer society transitioning to sedentary agricultural and pastoral cultures.

Seminar Organizer: Prof. Dan Maoz