Priests as Sky Watchers
Ancient astronomers were often priests who observed the heavens to understand divine order. Long before telescopes, they tracked stars using sight, shadow, and stone alignments.
Solstices and Seasonal Timekeeping
Structures like Stonehenge, Nabta Playa, and Mayan temples align with solstices and equinoxes, marking agricultural cycles and religious festivals.
Eclipses and Planetary Cycles
Babylonian astronomers recorded lunar eclipses and planetary movements with remarkable accuracy. These records allowed prediction, not just observation.
Astronomy and Power
Controlling calendars meant controlling society. Rulers used astronomical knowledge to legitimize authority, claiming divine favor through celestial alignment.
Foundation of Science
These early astronomers laid the groundwork for mathematics, astrology, and later scientific astronomy.
