Discipline which dates back pre historical buildings by astronomic coincidences
( AR·chae·o·as·TRON·o·my). A specialty in archaeology dealing with the study of the astronomical significance of ancient structures and other phenomena preserved in the archaeological record as they relate to ancient astronomical phenomena and understanding.
The study of the astronomical practices, celestial lore, mythologies, religions and world views of all ancient cultures. Referred to, in essence, as the "anthropology of astronomy," to distinguish it from the "history of astronomy." ( go to first use in the text)
The study of astronomical practices amongst ancient societies
The study of the relationship between astronomical events and past cultural behavior, including the interpretation of material astronomical remains. It is sometimes called anthropological astronomy and studies the artifacts and lore of early humans in hope of discovering how our ancient ancestors, learned about the heavens of day and night, and how they used them in their everyday lives. Simply stated, Archaeoastronomy attempts to trace the methods and insights behind the astronomical connections to hunting rituals, mythology, religion, philosophy, agriculture and architecture.
The study of astronomy by ancient peoples
Archaeoastronomy (also spelled Archeoastronomy) is the study of ancient or traditional astronomies in their cultural context, utilising archaeological and anthropological evidence. The anthropological study of astronomical practices in contemporary societies is often called ethnoastronomy, although there is no consensus as to whether ethnoastronomy is a separate discipline or is a part of archaeoastronomy. Archaeoastronomy is also closely associated with historical astronomy, the use of historical records of heavenly events to answer astronomical problems and the history of astronomy, which uses written records to evaluate past astronomical traditions.