What Is Archaeoastronomy?

Archaeoastronomy is still a very new area of study with a number of different definitions. Factors determining the definition depends on the approach you are taking. Being Theoretical - Dealing With Practical Applications Within a Modern or Ancient Framework - Dealing in General Investigative Research Or Offshoots or Sub-Disciplines of the Field

Generally, it can be defined as the astronomical analysis of archaeological features. Overall, it is devoted to determining the nature and extent of early mans astronomical knowledge.

There are other names for archaeoastronomy such as astro-archaeology, astronomical archaeology, and archaeological astronomy. Primarily they mean the same thing as are derived from Astro, meaning star and Archaeo meaning ancient

Archaeoastronomy is an interdisciplinary approach involving areas of cultural anthropology, astronomy, mythology, engineering, folklore, navigation, prehistoric art, navigation, land surveying, philology, and geography.

Archaeoastronomy developed as a result of the question - Could ancient man have built stone structures to measure, or at least account for movements of the sun, moon, and other celestial objects?

Archaeoastronomy Research

Research involves establishing and measuring alignments, and an analysis of what it means culturally. The quality of the site and being able to reliably date the age of the site using several various and independent means that will support each other in the final analysis in determining the authenticity of the site.

The quality of the site are determined by
Do they have features that possibly indicate alignment?
Vague remains of what used to be prominent features?
Have they been moved around recently?
Are they collapsed, fallen, or half-buried?
Have they been rebuilt?

Dating a Site There are many means of dating a site and is important not to just date it by astronomical data. Radiocarbon Dating - Artifacts - Inscriptions - Geometry are ALL Factors that come to play in determining the age, origins, and history of a site.

America Stonehenge - Mystery Hill
Salem, New Hampshire

A BRIEF HISTORY

Americas Stonehenge is one of the largest and possibly the oldest megalithic
(stone-constructed) sites in Northern America. It has long presented a complicated
and intriguing puzzle to archaeologists, astronomers and historians, and
presently serves as a leisurely, educational tour for the whole family.

The site was opened to the general public in 1958 by Mr. Robert Stone of Derry, NH
for the purpose of research and preservation. Since that date research has been
conducted on many fronts, the moste exciting and conclusive of which has bee the
recognition of the many astronomical alignments, making it one of North Americas
largest calendrical sites.

The complex, a series of stone walls containing large, shaped, standing stones, covers well over 30 acres. Like Stonehenge in England, Americas Stonehenge was built by ancient people well versed in astronomy and stone construction. Though several independent surveys by qualified researchers, it has been determined that the site is an accurate, astronomically aligned calendar. It was, and still can be, used to determine specific solar and lunar events of the year.

Archaeological excavation at the site has uncovered numerous historic and pre-historic artifacts, stone tools, pottery, and samples suitable for radiocarbon dating. Charcoal from two of these excavations in 1969 and 1971 proved to be 3000 and 4000 years old respectively.

The questions are obvious. Who built the many chambers and placed their 4 to 11 ton
capstones into position atop this desolate granite hilltop? Who went to such
painstaking care to shape each standing stone and position it in the exact location
to mark an important celestial event? And more importantly, why? The answer is
not so obvious.

We can be sure of one thing. This site was built by people who were here long before
Columbus arrived in 1492. Researchers have narrowed the possibilities down to either
a native American culture, or a migrant European population. As of yet, no single theory
has been proven, but research continues, and perhaps someday will result in the
solving of the puzzle.

Until then, evidence indicates this site to one of the most important archaeological
sites in the western hemisphere. At the very least, it is most likely the oldest
man-made construction in the United States.

SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNSET

One of the many interesting features of the ancient astronomical calendar. It marks the June 21st sunset signifying the northern hemispheres change from spring to summer on our calendar of today, but mid-summer on many ancient calendars.

ORACLE CHAMBER

The largest chamber at the site. It has 2 passages in the shape of a T, plus many other features including the Speaking Tube built through 5 feet of stone wall and terminating under the Sacrificial Table. Here was found the carving of a running deer.

SACRIFICIAL TABLE

This 4 1/2 ton stone slab was probably used for ceremonial purposes such as sacrifices.

A voice spoken through the Speaking Tube
in the Oracle Chambers appears to
come from the table.

ARTIFACTS

The artifacts found at Americas Stonehenge reflect the many divers cultures that have inhabited the site. The stone tools, pottery, 18th and 19th century housewares open up a number of possibilities. These include megalithic European cultures, native American and post colonial settlers.

INSCRIPTIONS

A number of stones found in and around the main site exhibit man-made markings. Many of these have been translated by noted epigraphers, such as Dr. Barry Fell, as ancient old world scripts with origins in Phoenician, Libyan and Celtic languages.

A contrary opinion : Debunking Mystery Hill

Other Interesting Sites Regarding Archaeoastronomy

References and Other Reading Regarding Mystery Hill

PRIMARY SOURCE: The Mystery Hill Story, Mark Feldman, Mystery Hill Press,1977

Mystery Hill the Source Book 1907-1945, Edited by Richard V. Humphrey, Teaparty Books, Salem, NH 1979

Ancient Man in New Hampshire, Mark Feldman, New Hampshire Reader, November-December 1975.

The Romano-Celtic Phase at Mystery Hill, B. Fell, Occasional Publications of the Epigraphic Society, Vol. 3, No. 54, Sept., 1975.

The Celtic-Iberian Culture of New England, NEARA Journal, Summer-Fall, 1975.