Astronomy in the Upper Palaeolithic

Hayden, Brian; Villeneuve, Suzanna

Astronomy in the Upper Palaeolithic

Cambridge Archaeological Journal • Vol/Iss. 21(3) • Cambridge University Press • Cambridge • Published In 2011 • Pages: 331-355 •

By Hayden, Brian, Villeneuve, Suzanna

Abstract

Researchers examine the ethnographic record, sampling 82 hunter gatherer societies from the HRAF World Cultures database, for cross-cultural patterns of archaeological evidence of knowledge of astronomy and constellations. Surveying the data, researchers identified many patterns in the upper paleolithic, noting the importance of further examination of this topic.

Note

No statistical analysis was conducted. Researchers looked for general patterns that were easily observed.

Samples
Sample Used	Coded Data	Comment
eHRAF World Cultures

Hypotheses (4)
Hypothesis	Supported
Almost all hunter gatherers have some kind of astronomical system	Supported
Complex hunter gatherer groups generally exhibit some solstice observation or calendars.	Supported
Complex hunter gatherer groups, unlike general hunter gatherer groups, will have solstice monitoring systems.	Supported
Most constellation observations amongst hunter gatherers will be of single stars or small portions of systems.	Supported

Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: matthew.g.roth noah.rossen anj.droe

Astronomy in the Upper Palaeolithic

Cambridge Archaeological Journal • Vol/Iss. 21(3) • Cambridge University Press • Cambridge • Published In 2011 • Pages: 331-355 • Cite

By Hayden, Brian, Villeneuve, Suzanna

Abstract

Note

Samples

Hypotheses (4)

Cambridge Archaeological Journal • Vol/Iss. 21(3) • Cambridge University Press • Cambridge • Published In 2011 • Pages: 331-355 •