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How did ancient civilizations contribute to astronomy or astrophysics?

In teaching the history of astronomy, I want to move beyond anecdotes about Stonehenge or the Pyramids. I need clear examples of sustained, quantitative observation or theoretical development from cultures like the Babylonians, Maya, or Chinese. What specific practices or records provided a foundation later built upon by Greek or Renaissance astronomers?

 

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By Neil Answered 1 year ago

Moving beyond alignment myths, the most profound contributions were systematic and quantitative. The Babylonians, for instance, left cuneiform tablets detailing centuries of lunar and planetary positions, which they used to develop sophisticated arithmetic schemes (now called "System A" and "System B") for predicting celestial events a form of early mathematical astronomy. Separately, the Maya independently calculated the synodic period of Venus to within a few hours and embedded these cycles in their Long Count calendar. These were not just observations; they were sustained, record-keeping projects aimed at prediction and cosmological order, providing a data-rich foundation for later Greek geometric models.

 

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