1: Magazine.
- 1.1: Feature.
  - 1.1.1: Varus Battle Phenomenon.
  - 1.1.2: Archaeoastronomy.
  - 1.1.3: On the Borders of the Celtic World - Iron Age Fortifications.
  - 1.1.4: The Horse.
  - 1.1.5: Castle Archaeology in Friaul.
  - 1.1.6: The Quest for the "How" - Experimental Archaeology.
  - 1.1.7: Mythos Neanderthals.
  - 1.1.8: Neues aus dem Alten Ägypten.
  - 1.1.9: Der Limes.
  - 1.1.10: Pfahlbauten und Seeufersiedlungen.
  - 1.1.11: Montanarchäologie.
  - 1.1.12: Die Alamannen.
  - 1.1.13: Syrien.
  - 1.1.14: Musikarchäologie.
  - 1.1.15: Fürstengräber.
  - 1.1.16: Archäologie 2000.
  - 1.1.17: Häuser im Moor.
- 1.2: Fundpunkt.
- 1.3: News.
- 1.4: In the Press.
- 1.5: On TV.
- 1.6: Event Calendar.
2: Guide.
3: Digger.
4: Library.
5: Mediathek.
6: Forum.
7: Club.
8: Authors.
9: FAQ.

Von A bis Z

Für den schnellen Überblick: Das Schlagwortverzeichnis der Artikel und Rezensionen (nur für Clubmitglieder)

Archaeoastronomy
Archaeology of the Sky

Since the earliest days of prehistory the stars in the sky are fascinating for human beings. For many cultures the course of stars, moon and sun were playing an important role, an eclipse could even have impacts on history. Important discoveries like the Nebra Sky Disc or the Sun Observatory of Goseck shed new light on astronomical knowledge of our ancestors. Which role the observation of the sky was playing in the history of mankind is one of the major questions in the field of archaeoastronomy. This feature presents some aspects of this exciting discipline at a glance.

Sponsor:

This Feature is presented with kind support by Arche Nebra, the visitor center at the site where the Nebra Sky Disc was found
www.himmelsscheibe-erleben.de

Archaeoastronomy - an Introduction

What exactly is Archaeoastronomy? Which sources and methods are used in this scientific discipline? This and further questions are answered by this introductionary article by Wolfhard Schlosser. On the basis of examples like the Nebra Sky Disc, the Sun Observatory of Goseck and the viking compass of Uunartoq Schlosser explains the possibilities and limits of archaeoastronomy.

Read more (in German) ......

Of Pigs and Stars - Religious Astronomy in Old Egypt

Astronomical observations played an important role in Egyptian Religion. The Egyptians recorded their knowledge about occurrences in the sky mainly in their myths. Alexandra von Lieven presents Old Egypt's creation myths and pantheon and explains their relation to planets and constellations of stars.

Read more (in German) ......

The Nasca Geoglyphs - Is the Astronomical Theory about the Lines and Figures of Nasca still relevant?

About 435 km south of the peruvian capital Lima the so called "Lines and Figures of Nasca" are situated. Thousands of Lines, often kilometers in length, numerous large areas as well as gigantic figures of animals, plants and geometric figures - so called geoglyphs - that can be seen in hole only from the air are covering the desert plateau. Recent research had suggested that astronomical observations were not involved in their construction. Bernd Teichert presents current investigations indicating that at least for some of the geoglyphs this is not true.

Read more (in German) ......

Mushrooms, Brazils, Tea Cosies and a Dark Side of the Moon - Sword Pommels as Historical Sources for Medieval Sky Observations

Pilze, Paranüsse, Teewärmer und eine Schattenseite des Mondes

Do medieval sword pommels have a bigger proposition than assumed so far? The current systems of sword and pommel typology of the late ninth and early 16th century rely on classifications based on formal and metric points of view. Until now no attempt has been made to examine the original meaning of their shapes. Stefan Mäder asks if those decorations could'nt have been astronomical representations: figures of the moon and its phases.

Read more (in German) ......

Nebra Ark - The Sky Disc Experience

Arche Nebra - Die Himmelsscheibe erleben

In June 2007 the Nebra Ark, a new visitor centre located at the place where the Sky Disc was found, was opened. The Nebra Ark lets the visitors experience the thrilling history of the Sky Disc and connects archaeology and astronomy. Manuela Werner presents the new station on Saxony-Anhalts touristic route »Sky Paths«.

Read more (in German) ......