Archaeoastronomy from Coursera

Archaeoastronomy is the “science of stars and stones”. It is an interdisciplinary science in between architecture, archaeology, and astronomy. It studies the relationships between the ancient monuments and the sky, in order to gain a better understanding of the ideas of the architects of the past and of their religious and symbolic world. The course provides the first complete, easy introduction to this fascinating discipline.

During the course, many spectacular ancient sites of archaeology – such as Stonehenge in England, Giza and Karnak in Egypt, Chichen Itzá in the Yucatan, Macchu Picchu in Peru and the Pantheon in Rome – will be visited and the fascinating events occurring there in special days of the year (such as solstices, equinoxes, or the day of the foundation of Rome) will be shown and explained. The course also provides the necessary background on Astronomy with the naked eye and a general introduction to the role of Astronomy in religion and in the management of power among ancient cultures.

What's inside

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.

Week 2

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.

Week 3

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.

Week 4

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.

Week 5

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.

Week 6

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.

Astronomy insights

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.

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Enters the close, interdisciplinary realm of archaeoastronomy, an engaging niche that combines archaeology and astronomy

Taught by Giulio Magli, an established archaeoastronomer and author with a wealth of experience

Offers a comprehensive overview of the field, accessible to both beginners and those with some background in archaeoastronomy

Provides a captivating journey through ancient sites, exploring the relationships between monuments and celestial events

Includes practical tools and techniques for studying archaeoastronomy, making it suitable for learners interested in hands-on exploration

Introduces key concepts in astronomy and their relevance to ancient cultures, providing a solid foundation for further exploration

Reviews summary

Historical correlation of astronomy and archaeology

Learners say Archaeoastronomy is a highly recommended course. It takes interdisciplinary look at the connections between astronomy and archeology by exploring the correlation between ancient historical landmarks and their relationship to the stars. It also discusses hierophany, the embodiment of a deity in physical form. Students mention it has great videos but feel it requires additional resources that are not always provided. It is considered easy to understand but may not be stimulating enough for those wanting a more in-depth learning experience. Overall, this course provides a nice foundation for beginners and can be motivating for further research.

Provides a good starting place to learn about archaeoastronomy.

"This was a very good introductory course with great photos on the videos."

"I'd like to see possible sequels with specific topics, such as Egyptian archaeoastronomy, Mayan archaeoastronomy etc."

Covers a variety of topics related to archaeoastronomy.

"This is a nice and short course, giving you an overview of what the ancient people thought about the skies, and what kind of connections they had."

"It's a short (7 hours), but very interesting course about the relationships between the astronomy and the ancients monuments around all the word."

"We can learn about hierophanies, mayas, ancients egyptians, celts and roman monuments."

To increase learning, more effort should be required.

"Overall it seems like a light course not requiring enough effort and often effort and your learning are linked together and you might leave the course not having learnt as much as you had hoped."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Archaeoastronomy with these activities:

Review Constellation Patterns

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Familiarizes learners with recognizing constellations and patterns of the night sky.

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Use online resources like Star Chart or Google Sky to identify and learn the major constellations.
Look for star charts or apps that can help you identify constellations in your specific location.
Locate a clear night and spend some time outside observing the stars and practicing identifying constellations.

Virtual Visit to the Giza Pyramids

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Provides an immersive experience to explore the Giza Pyramids and learn about their astronomical significance.

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Use online virtual tour platforms like Google Earth or AirPano to explore the Giza Pyramids.
Follow guided tours or read articles that provide information on the history, architecture, and astronomical alignments of the pyramids.

Compass Navigation Exercise

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Enhances practical skills in using a magnetic compass for navigation and astronomical observations.

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Obtain a magnetic compass and familiarize yourself with its parts and functions.
Find an open area with minimal magnetic interference and practice determining cardinal directions.
Perform exercises to determine the azimuth and bearing of objects and landmarks.

Three other activities

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Visit to a Planetarium or Observatory

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Offers a hands-on experience to observe celestial objects, reinforce classroom learning, and inspire curiosity.

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Find a planetarium or observatory near you that offers public shows or guided tours.
Attend a planetarium show or observatory tour that aligns with the topics covered in the course.

Build a Model of Stonehenge

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Develops an understanding of the construction and alignment of Stonehenge through hands-on creation.

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Gather materials like cardboard, paper, or foam board to construct the model.
Research the dimensions and alignment of Stonehenge and use these to plan your model.
Construct the model of Stonehenge, paying attention to the details of the structure and its orientation.

Create a Presentation on Mayan Astronomy

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Develops research and presentation skills while exploring the unique astronomical knowledge of the Mayans.

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Research Mayan astronomy, including their calendar, observations, and astronomical beliefs.
Plan and organize the presentation, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Create visual aids like slides or charts to support your presentation.
Practice delivering the presentation and ensure clarity and engagement.

Career center

Learners who complete Archaeoastronomy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Planetarium Director

Planetarium Directors manage planetariums and develop and deliver educational programs about astronomy. This course would provide Planetarium Directors with a deep understanding of astronomy and its history, which they could use to create engaging and informative planetarium shows. For example, this course would help a Planetarium Director to develop a show on the life and work of Galileo Galilei or the exploration of the solar system.

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Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research in a variety of fields, including astronomy and archaeology. This course would provide Research Scientists with a solid foundation in the history and methods of astronomy and archaeology, which they could use to conduct their own research. For example, this course would help a Research Scientist to develop a research project on the archaeoastronomy of the ancient Maya or the history of the telescope.

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Astronomer

Astronomers study the universe and its contents. This course would provide Astronomers with a better understanding of the history of astronomy and the role that it has played in different cultures. For example, this course would help an Astronomer to understand why certain ancient cultures built observatories or aligned their buildings with the stars.

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Science Writer

Science Writers communicate scientific information to the public. This course would provide Science Writers with a deep understanding of astronomy and archaeology, which they could use to write engaging and informative articles, books, and other materials. For example, this course would help a Science Writer to write an article on the latest discoveries in astronomy or the history of the pyramids of Egypt.

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Archaeologist

Archaeologists study past cultures by excavating and examining artifacts and structures. This course would provide Archaeologists with a better understanding of the religious and symbolic beliefs of ancient cultures, which could be useful in interpreting archaeological findings. For example, this course would help an Archaeologist to understand why a particular ancient monument was built in a certain location.

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Teacher

Teachers teach students about a variety of subjects, including astronomy and archaeology. This course would provide Teachers with a solid foundation in the history and methods of astronomy and archaeology, which they could use to develop engaging and informative lesson plans. For example, this course would help a Teacher to develop a lesson plan on the phases of the moon or the history of Stonehenge.

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Historian

Historians study the past by examining written records and other sources. This course would provide Historians with a better understanding of the role that astronomy and archaeology have played in human history. For example, this course would help a Historian to understand how the development of astronomy led to the rise of civilizations.

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Museum Educator

Museum Educators develop and deliver educational programs for museum visitors. This course would provide Museum Educators with a solid foundation in astronomy and archaeology, which they could use to develop engaging and informative programs for visitors of all ages. For example, this course would help a Museum Educator to develop a program on the history of the telescope or the archaeology of ancient Egypt.

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Educator

Educators teach students about a variety of subjects. This course would provide Educators with a solid foundation in astronomy and archaeology, which they could use to teach students about the history of science and the importance of cultural heritage. For example, this course would help an Educator to develop lesson plans on the ancient Maya calendar or the pyramids of Egypt.

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Curator

Curators are responsible for managing and preserving collections of objects. This course would provide Curators with a better understanding of the historical and cultural significance of objects related to astronomy and archaeology. For example, this course would help a Curator to understand how to care for and display an ancient astronomical instrument.

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Geographer

Geographers study the Earth's surface and its human and physical features. This course would provide Geographers with a better understanding of the relationship between geography and astronomy, which could be useful in studying the impact of climate change or the distribution of human populations. For example, this course would help a Geographer to understand how the movement of the sun affects the Earth's climate.

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Architect

Architects are responsible for designing buildings and other structures. They use their knowledge of engineering and design to create safe and functional spaces. This course would provide Architects with a solid understanding of the relationship between architecture and astronomy, which could be useful in designing buildings that are aligned with the sun or other celestial bodies. For example, this course would equip an Architect with the knowledge necessary to design a building that gets the optimal amount of sunlight at a certain time of year.

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Librarian

Librarians manage and organize libraries and provide access to information. This course would provide Librarians with a better understanding of the historical and cultural significance of books and other materials related to astronomy and archaeology. For example, this course would help a Librarian to catalog and organize a collection of rare books on astronomy.

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Tour Guide

Tour Guides lead tours of historical and cultural sites.

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Writer

Writers create written content, such as articles, books, and scripts.

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