ARCHAEOASTRONOMY CONFERENCE- SEAC2006
Ancient watching at Cosmic Space and Observation of Astronomical Phenomena
Rhodes, Greece, 6-10 APRIL, 2006
(www.rhodes.aegean.gr/tms/SEAC2006.htm)
1st ANNOUNCEMENT (July 2005)
Archaeoastronomy, an upcoming interdisciplinary for astronomy in past cultures, emerges and establishes itself as a uniquely significant part of our cultural heritage. Historic and prehistoric data drawn from increasing number of monuments, standing stones, instruments, landscape topographic markers, rock art and wall paintings, textural reports, all converge to the same target: refer to movements of certain celestial bodies –stars and constellations, solar stands, lunar standstills- during rising or setting on particular sightseeing cardinal horizon.
Symbolism, rituals, ceremonies, religious beliefs were amongst others the main reasons of orientation of temples and sanctuaries. Since the dawn of humanity there is amble evidence of the various ways in which people strive to harmonise human activities with cycles of events in the natural world. Ritual performances may have a key role in reaffirming the natural (cosmic) order, as they did, for example in ancient Mesoamerica. Sacred calendars were invented related to crop-planting and other agricultural activities, for navigation purposes and eventually for purely scientific reasons (as in classical Greece). Early herders and cultivators, much as the earlier Mesolithic hunter-gatherers tended to move seasonally about the landscape according to the availability of different resources at different times of the year. Different sky configurations may have regulated and defined such movements. All these activities were performed through the whole cosmos as they perceived it consisting of the starry night and the landscape. Certain constructions acted as a microcosm resulting from a projected macrocosm; their geometry, their setting with regards to horizon, represented some sacred function, affirmation of some ideological structures, political control, the center of the world, the house of god. Astronomical alignments incorporating effects of light and shadows, may have empowered the monument giving it special significance on certain regular occasions.
Many astronomical and meteorological phenomena have had attracted the attention of early societies as omens associated with calamity and / or prosperity. Since the dawn of humanity early societies had had an intuitive interest to astronomical symbolism in their endeavor to elucidate fear and transform chaos to order, harmonising their conscience and perception with outer cosmos. Consternation but wondering too, have contributed to make astronomy an inseparable part of ancient cultures.
Ancient people observed astronomical phenomena, which were considered inseparable parts of their needs and beliefs- they were reflected on their restricted microcosmic landscape and such a projection aided development of calendars, symbols, orientations, established long traditions, helped daily life, contributed to the progress of science and philosophy of later times and modern era.
Thematic Issues will include:
Ancient Greek astronomy
Ancient technology for astronomical observations
Astronomy of ancient literate cultures
Ancient astronomy on Rhodes
Cosmic images: Rock art and human perception
Ethnoastronomy and history of astronomy
Ancient calendars
History and iconography of constellations
Orientations and interpretations
Astronomical traditions in past cultures
Astronomical symbolism and rituals
Archaeology, history and mythology: an interplay with astronomy
Sociological & religious impact of astronomy on ancient/ prehistoric societies
Megalithic monuments, astronomy and prehistoric archaeology
The boundaries of archaeoastronomy
Anthropological foundations of archaeoastronomy
The role of archaeoastronomy in the history of astronomy
Human struggling between the micro- and macro- cosmos: astronomical overview.
Cosmological, symbolic and cultural complexity derived from sky
This venture though a European initiative is open to the international academia for those working on Astronomy in Culture.