Archaeoastronomy
… is the study of beliefs and practices relating to the sky in the past, especially in prehistory, and the uses to which people's know- ledge of the skies was put.
Journals
Professional bodies
Free software tools
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HORIZON |
See the Tools page for more info
Books
Springer Handbook (2014):
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Ocarina Books publishes and distributes books relating to archaeo- and ethnoastronomy |
Publications
This list of my books and selected papers and articles contains links and downloadable copies where available.
About me
I am Emeritus Professor of Archaeoastronomy in the School of Archaeology and Ancient History at the University of Leicester, UK. I have spent a lifetime investigating ancient people’s perceptions of the sky and the uses they make of what they see there (see my University profile for more on my background and research interests) and still have ongoing projects in Hawai‘i, Peru and the UK. In 2017 I was greatly honoured to be awarded the Royal Astronomical Society’s new Agnes Mary Clerke Medal for a “lifetime of distinguished work in the overlapping areas of archaeology, astronomy and the history of science”. A highlight of my career was being the co-discoverer in 2005 of the 2200-year-old monumental solar observatory at Chankillo in Peru which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021. From 2008 to 2018 I coordinated the International Astronomical Union (IAU)’s Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative jointly with UNESCO and I continue to advise governments on potential World Heritage nominations relating to astronomy, as well as serving on the IAU's Working Group on Star Names and the IUCN’s Dark Skies Advisory Group.
About this website
Yes, I know this website design is horribly outdated and can’t be viewed well on small devices. We are working on an update! You might also be interested in some of the materials to be found on cultural-astronomy.com.
News
A new IUCN report on preserving dark skies
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), through its World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), issues a series of Technical Reports that provide tools, specific guidance, and overviews on issues related to protected and conserved areas.
A new report is about to be published that focuses on preserving natural darkness for heritage conservation and night sky appreciation. The IUCN has long recognised the importance of natural darkness to nature conservation, to ecological integrity of protected areas, and to the sustainability of healthy lives in healthy cities.
Entitled “The World at Night”, the new report has been produced by WCPA’s Dark Skies Advisory Group, set up in 2009 to provide advice and guidance in regard to light pollution and dark sky values.
Astronomical heritage
Portal to the Heritage of Astronomy
Read more on the UNESCO–IAU Portal to the Heritage of Astronomy and about astronomical heritage in general
Free downloads
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No. 1 (2010): See here for more information or click here to download a copy directly (46 Mb) |
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No. 2 (2017): See here for more information or click here to download a copy (19 Mb) |
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Astronomical World Heritage
Download a copy of an article published in A&G (Aug 2019 issue) |
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Stonehenge and Ancient Astronomy
Download a copy of the Royal Astronomical Society’s factsheet |
Alice Ruggles Trust
If you are looking for things related to Alice and/or information about stalking, please visit the Alice Ruggles Trust website