Archeoastronomy of the Egyptian and Mayan Cultures Jordan Seres, Scarlet Benoit, JJ perez, Lorrie Vazquez Survey of the Universe (EMPACTS) Kelly howe, Instructor Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville, AR 72712
Archaeoastronomy The study of astronomical practices, celestial lore, mythologies, religions, and world-views of all ancient cultures
Objective Gain personal knowledge Create models to represent monumental relationships among astronomical observation Impact our community by sharing information Donating models to the EMPACTS lab
Method Research Our research was mostly done on the internet or Books that related to our topic Model Construction We designed, constructed and refined our models for presentation to other classes
Egyptian Astronomy Giza Necropolis built on 30th latitude Adheres to cardinal grid Knew the Earth was spherical Great pyramid: accurate scale model of Earth s dimensions Used Sothis as sign for flooding 365 day calendar year, 12 months Precession of the Equinoxes: changes in coordinates of fixed stars over 25,920 years due to axis tilt. Instruments of Astronomical Measurement: sundial, water clocks, and the merkhet (measured stellar azimuths).
Sphinx Faces Due East, sun shines in eyes on equinoxes Temple and Sanctuaries aligned with cardinal directions. 24 pillars in interior colonnade represent 24 hours
The Pyramids of Giza Ancient Egyptians found true north by using Kochab and Mizar It s still a mystery as to how they came to achieve it. True North (Polaris) today was different in 2500 BC The Orion Correlation Theory states that the Pyramids of Giza are lined up perfectly with Orion s Belt. Khufu-Alnitak, Khafre-Alnilam, Menkaure- Mintaka Has a high probability of being false The Pyramid of Khufu has four air shafts
Ancient Mayan Astronomy The Mayans accurately calculated the times when the Sun would rise and set. Mayan cities show astronomical orientation in the construction of buildings. The Mayans believed that space and the concept of time were connected. They expressed this in their complex calendar system and in monuments such as El Castillo.
El Castillo A strange phenomenon happens during a week before the fall and spring equinox. There is a perfect alignment with the zenith passage. Each side of the temple has 91 steps. 4 x 91 = 364 plus the main platform being 1, equals 365.
The Mayan Calendar Perhaps the most important application of the Mayan mathematical system was in the development of their calendars. Using their knowledge of astronomy and mathematics, the ancient Maya developed one of the most accurate calendar systems in human history. Maya used three different calendars 1. Long Count Calendar 2. Tzolk in 3. Haab
Long Count Calendar Mechanics base-20 counting system Right to left: Kin - 1 day Winals - 20 days (20 kin) Tuns - 360 days (approx. 1 year) Katuns - 7,200 days (approx. 20 years) Baktun - 144,000 days (approx. 394 years)
The Calendar Round Combination of Haabs and Tzolk in Is made of 3 interlocking cycles 365 solar year 20 names 13 numbers Days are designated by how the three numbers line up https://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=qhwitvjk9yg
3-D printing JJ worked with 3D printing specialist Lee stidham
Model Construction Lorrie was in charge of gathering materials and leading in the construction of our model.
Model Construction Lorrie was in charge of gathering materials and leading in the construction of our model.
Model Construction materials Poster Board (ground and sky) 3D printed Model Acrylic paint (sky and 3D Model Fake grass Mini trees Poster board (ground and sky) Acrylic paint (ground) Craft Sand 3D PRinted Pyramid and Sphinx Paper (two other pyramid) Popsicle sticks (causeways and tombs LED lights (Orion and Leo Constellations Batteries (for lights)
Presentation We presented our project to high school students who are in the Early College Experience Program taking a criminal Justice course through Nwacc
Conclusion We learned about the contrasting cultures of the Mayan and Ancient Egyptians along with their understanding of ancient astronomy.
Sources http://www.terpconnect.umd.edu/~tlaloc/archastro/cfaar_as.html http://www.antiquityofman.com/krupp_sphinx_blinks.html http://www.crystalinks.com/sphinxfacts.html http://www.ancientegyptonline.co.uk/pyramid-air-shafts.html https://www.exploratorium.edu/ancientobs/chichen/html/castillo.html http://www.mayan-calendar.com/ancient_tzolkin.html http://www.starteachastronomy.com/mayan.html http://www.maya.nmai.si.edu/calendar/calendar-system http://www.mayan-calendar.com/ancient_haab.html Bauval, Robert, and Adrian Gilbert. The Orion Mystery: Unlocking the Secrets of the Pyramids. New York: Crown, 1994. Print.
Acknowledgements EMPACTS Tech Corp - Lee Stidham, 3D design and printing specialist Webpage Professor C. Dianne Phillips, EMPACTS Facilitator