Archaeoastronomy

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/archaeoastronomy

Introduction

### Course Review: Archaeoastronomy on Coursera **Course Overview:** If you're fascinated by the cosmos and intrigued by ancient civilizations, the Coursera course titled "Archaeoastronomy" offers a unique opportunity to explore how humanity has historically interacted with the stars. It is an interdisciplinary study that spans architecture, archaeology, and astronomy, unearthing the connections between ancient monuments and celestial phenomena. This course serves as a comprehensive introduction to the captivating field of archaeoastronomy, revealing how the ancients embedded astronomical knowledge into their architectural designs, which in turn reflects their religious and symbolic beliefs. #### Course Syllabus Overview: **Week 1: Fundamentals of Archaeoastronomy** The journey begins with foundational tools for studying the cosmos without modern instruments. Students will learn to observe the night sky and get comfortable with essential tools like the magnetic compass while exploring incredible software, including virtual globes and digital planetariums, that enhance our understanding of astronomy. **Week 2: The Intersection of Astronomy, Religion, and Power** In the heart of the course, this week delves into how ancient cultures intertwined their understanding of the heavens with their religious practices and societal structures. Students will explore key archaeological sites such as Stonehenge and Newgrange, gaining insights into the cosmic significance these structures held for their builders. **Week 3: A Journey to Ancient Egypt** Egypt takes center stage as students virtually visit the Great Pyramid of Khufu and witness the stunning summer solstice phenomena at Giza. The week culminates in exploring the grand temple of Karnak during the winter solstice and delving into the unique astronomical visions of the “heretic” king Akhenaten. **Week 4: Pre-Columbian Astronomy** The course then shifts to the Americas, examining the intricate astronomical knowledge of the Maya and the Incas. You'll learn about the Maya calendar and how astronomical events influenced their architectural designs, along with the sacred spaces in Cusco and Machu Picchu. **Week 5: Ancient Asia's Cosmic Heritage** The focus broadens to ancient Asia, where students will explore remarkable sites like the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. This section reveals how astronomy influenced the architectural marvels of the Khmer Kings and beyond. **Week 6: Classical Astronomy in Greece and Rome** The final week takes participants on a tour through Greek and Roman architecture, exploring how astronomy played a role in the creation of iconic structures from the temples of Sicily to the grandeur of the Pantheon in Rome. **Astronomy Insights Section:** This course goes beyond discussing planetary alignments; students will learn about lunar phases, the symbolism of Venus, and how these elements are imbued in ancient architectural practices worldwide. This final component equips learners with the analytical tools needed to uncover and interpret astronomical measures across different cultures. ### Recommendations: I highly recommend the "Archaeoastronomy" course for several reasons: 1. **Interdisciplinary Approach:** The course beautifully intertwines various fields of study, making it a rich learning experience. Whether you're an astronomy enthusiast, an architecture buff, or someone interested in ancient cultures, you'll find the course appealing. 2. **Accessibility:** The content is structured in such a way that beginners can grasp the concepts without prior experience in astronomy or archaeology. 3. **Engaging Visuals:** The use of virtual tools, 3D models, and digital resources provides an immersive learning experience that brings historical sites and celestial events to life. 4. **Expert Instruction:** Taught by knowledgeable instructors, you’ll benefit from expert insights that can provoke curiosity and inspire further exploration in the field. 5. **Flexibility:** Since it’s available on Coursera, you can learn at your own pace, balancing your studies with your personal or professional commitments. In conclusion, Coursera's "Archaeoastronomy" course is a fascinating exploration of humanity’s historical relationship with the cosmos. It offers a solid foundation for understanding how ancient civilizations perceived and integrated astronomy into their lives. If you're looking to broaden your knowledge and satisfy your curiosity about the stars and ancient structures, this course is an excellent choice. Sign up today and embark on a journey that spans millennia and reaches for the stars!

Syllabus

Week 1

In this week we shall learn the basic tools which are needed for studying Archaeoastronomy. Essentially, this means learning Astronomy with the naked eye, since the ancients did not have telescopes, and becoming acquainted with a simple instrument - the magnetic compass - and amazing softwares: virtual globes and digital planetariums.

The core of the course: understanding how astronomy, religion, and the management of power were connected in ancient cultures, and the way in which these connections are reflected in architecture and landscape since the Neolithic. At the end of the week we shall thus visit the places where Archaeoastronomy was born: Stonehenge and Newgrange.

An archaeoastronomical tour in a wonderful land: Egypt of the Pharaohs. We shall visit Khufu's (Cheops) Great Pyramid and assist to the spectacular hierophany which occurs every year at Giza at the summer solstice. Then, we shall move to the huge temple of Karnak at the winter solstice, to finally encounter the "heretic" king Akhenaten and the astronomy-related project of his new capital.

An introduction to pre-Columbian Archaeoastronomy, with key topics such as the Maya Calendar, the role of astronomy in Maya architecture, and the sacred space of the Incas at Cusco and Macchu Picchu.

An archaeo-astronomical visit to fascinating places of ancient Asia: the Xian area, with the Terracotta Warriors and the pyramids of the Chinese Emperors of the Han Dynasty, and Angkor (Cambodia) with Angkor Wat and the other state-temples of the Khmer Kings.

A fascinating travel in Greek and Roman Italy, in search of astronomy in the project of some of the masterpieces of the classical age, from the Greek temples of Sicily to the Pantheon in Rome.

Archaeoastronomy is not only "speaking about the Sun and the other stars". Interest in the cumbersome, apparent motion of the Moon and in the alternating behaviour of Venus as morning star/evening star is also present in ancient architecture, for instance in the Americas. This section provides the tools needed to investigate in such cases, as well as insights on the physical effects affecting measures in Archaeoastronomy.