ch 2.1 ancient civilizations

what did ancient civilizations observe?

• the skies for thousands of years

Why did ancient civilizations build astronomical structures?

• To mark and observe astronomical events

How were the Earth, Moon, Sun, and stars useful to ancient civilizations?

• They acted as calendars for tracking seasons and time.

Why were astronomical observations important for ancient societies?

• They helped with agriculture, navigation, and calendars.

What was Stonehenge likely used for?

• A primitive calendar.

What astronomical events is Stonehenge aligned with?

• The solstices.

What happens at Stonehenge on the longest day of the year?

• The Sun rises directly over the Heel Stone.

• perfectly aligns with sunrise in summer solstices and sunset in winter solstices

What does Stonehenge show about ancient civilizations?

• They carefully observed and tracked astronomical events.

What does the spokes of the Medicine Wheel aligned with?

• The rising and setting positions of the Sun and other stars.

Who built the Medicine Wheel in Wyoming?

• Plains Indigenous peoples.

How old is the Medicine Wheel estimated to be?

• Between a few hundred and over 3000 years old.

What does the Medicine Wheel demonstrate about Indigenous astronomy?

• Indigenous peoples carefully observed astronomical patterns and alignments.

What is El Caracol?

• A Mayan temple/observatory at Chichen Itza in Mexico.

What is special about the windows of El Caracol?

• They are aligned with astronomical events. (astronomical calendar)

Which civilization built El Caracol?

• The Mayan civilization

Approximately how old is El Caracol?

• More than 1100 years old.

Why was El Caracol possibly built?

• To track the seasons and observe the heavens.

What was Machu Picchu used for astronomically?

• It functioned as a mountaintop observatory for observing the heavens

Which civilization built Machu Picchu?

• The Inca civilization.

When was Machu Picchu built?

• In the 15th century.

What is the Temple of the Sun at Machu Picchu aligned with?

• The sunrise at the winter and summer solstices

What do the alignments at Machu Picchu show about the Incas?

• They carefully observed and tracked astronomical events

What is the Temple of Amun-Ra at Karnak aligned with?

• The rising Sun at the winter solstice

Where is the Temple of Amun-Ra located?

• Egypt.

What happens at sunrise on the winter solstice at Karnak?

• The Sun appears exactly in the center of the temple entrance.

What does the alignment of the Temple of Amun-Ra demonstrate?

• Ancient Egyptians carefully observed astronomical events and solar motion.

What is a constellation?

• A grouping of stars forming a perceived pattern or outline on the celestial sphere.

What do constellations often represent?

• Animals, mythological people, or creatures

Which Greek astronomer listed 48 constellations around 200 A.D.?

• Ptolemy

The constellations listed by Ptolemy were likely based on whose earlier lore?

• Babylonian lore.

Approximately when did Babylonian constellation lore originate?

• Around 1100 B.C.

How many officially defined constellations are there today?

• 88 constellations

Why were stars important before proper calendars existed?

• People used the stars to determine when to plant and harvest crops.

Why were constellations useful to ancient peoples?

• They made star patterns easier to recognize and remember

What did the appearance of the constellation Orion signal to ancient peoples?

• That winter was approaching.

• help them keep track of time; good time to harvest crops

How did constellations help with navigation?

• They helped people identify directions in the sky.

Why is Polaris important for navigation?

• Polaris (the North Star) helps identify north.