No axial precession of the earth proven by Archaeoastronomy of ancient monuments

This communication discuses the evidence based applications of the Sahasralingam, an ancient scientific device of yore-India. It can be used to evidence the earth-sun system. The Sahasralinga is a special purpose engineered, free standing, in plum, pillar devise (gnomon), that enables in space reading of sunlight & shade on a circular plain table at an elevation, year round. The enrolled grid pattern is a versatile abacus that permits digital conversion of the observed & the evidenced. The Sahasralingam can be used to establish (i) earth goes round the sun (ii) 7 0 as the angle of the curvature of the earth's orbit (iii) numerous aspects relating to earth-sun sync; uses hieroglyphics.

The recently reported observation of the solid inner core of the earth slowing down its motion and starting to rotate in a direction opposite to that of the motion of the spinning earth is due to the earth – along with the entire solar system – moving in a curve in the wavy path of the sun such that by the year 2300 CE, the observer on earth will start seeing the equinox moving in the forward (opposite) direction. This to and fro motion of the equinox which is the core of Vedic Astronomy is explained in this essay and supported by four evidences from science: 1. The inner core moving in the opposite direction of the earth's rotational direction. 2. Atmospheric changes 3. Change in the direction of the earth's axis to the east 4. The movement of the solstices towards each other and in progressive slower pace. The slowing down of the Tropical limits would further go on till they stop moving. By decoding two allegorical references from Vedic literature, namely Nahusha's Fall and Agastya stopping the Vindhya hills which obstructed the Sun, the expected course in the movement of the solstices and the equinox is deciphered in this essay. The Vedic sages did not use telescopes or gadgets to propose this theory. They just watched the earth, the shadow on the earth and the movement of sunlight on the earth to have offered this theory and its application in day-to-day life. We have yet to catch up with them…

Built in the early twelfth century, Angkor Wat is one of the world’s largest ancient religious structures. Each year thousands of visitors make the pilgrimage to Angkor Wat to witness the equinox sunrise over the temple’s lotus-shaped towers. In addition to the equinox alignment, however, there are other alignments at Angkor Wat and many of the surrounding temples. In this article multiple solstice alignments are identified for Angkor Wat and eleven nearby temples to include: Bakong, Phnom Bakheng, Phnom Bok, Phnom Krom, East Mebon, Pre Rup, Banteay Srei, Ta Keo, Baphuon, Preah Khan, and Bayon. Subsequent to ground and aerial reconnaissance of the above sites, archaeoastronomic assessments were made using Google Earth, with solstice azimuths calculated using standard protocols. More than seventy solstice alignments were thus identified. The multiplicity of solstice alignments combined with other data suggest that it was important for Angkor temples to be connected to the sun. If, as endorsed here, Angkor temples were microcosmic models of the cosmos, then arguably, solstice alignments connected the temples to the cyclic movement of the cosmos as manifested by the solar cycle.

This article tries to show that 'Stone Age people' were aware of precession of the poles and equinoxes and that their findings were orally passed down through the millennia to the Sumerians, who eventually wrote them down. But oral transmission was not the only way to save acquired astronomical knowledge over very long periods of time. Stone settings, stone carvings, cave paintings, storytelling and ceremonies, separately or together, were the vehicles by which ancient knowledge was passed on. This article describes several stone pillars in Göbekli Tepe (Turkey) with animal reliefs carved into them, which can be identified as some of the constellations through which the Pole Star moved on its path around the precession circle of the North Pole. Those animals have found their way into Sumerian and Akkadian myths and the myths of many other peoples. The knowledge is hidden in plain sight, if one recognizes the codes.

The tropics are the regions of the Earth that lie between the latitude lines of the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. In this zone of the Earth, we have the opportunity to see the zenith passage of the sun, that is, we can see the sun passing at noon directly overhead. The zenith passage happens on two days in the year. These days depend upon the latitude of the place of observation. Let us note that, at the Tropic of Cancer, the zenith passage happens on the day of the June solstice and at the Tropic of Capricorn on that of the December solstice; at the equator, the zenithal sun is observed on the two equinoxes. When the sun passes overhead, the shadows disappear and the days when this happens assume a sacred significance for the people that live and lived within the tropics. Being the zenith passage so important, it is not surprising that we can find it evidenced by the local architectures too. We have, for instance, that some monuments possess a "zenith tube" at their apex, such as at Angkor Wat, Cambodia. It is a vertical sighting tube inserted in the vault of the structure, which produces in a dark chamber a perfectly perpendicular beam of light when the sun is at the local zenith. As we will see, alignments of monuments are also possible: we observed them in Sanchi, India, at the Lion Rock in Sri Lanka, in Angkor Wat and at the Sewu, Prambanan and Borobudur Temples in Java. We can observe alignments at the Mesoamerican Sites of Tula and Chichen Itza. Here we also show alignments to the sunrise of the zenithal sun at the Shwedagon Pagoda and in the plan of Brasilia.

India has a long history of monuments built in stone—from prehistoric megaliths to later religious monuments like stupas, temples etc. covering a period of nearly four millennia. In this paper we discuss the influence of astronomy on the design and layout of some of these monuments, as well as depiction and incorporation of astronomical objects and phenomena in several of these or their components. In several instances, prehistoric rock art features Sun and Moon motifs, which are also seen in later sculptural art in temples, hero stones, etc. Megaliths, which are mostly the sepulchral and commemorative monuments of the Iron Age, have a variety of forms, ranging from the simple upright stone to relatively complex constructions like dolmens etc. We demonstrate that at least some megaliths have sightlines to astronomical phenomena on the local horizon deliberately incorporated into their layout. It is quite possible that these early monuments evolved into later monumental structures like stupas and temples. Temple architecture in southern India followed two main evolutionary trajectories that spanned roughly 800 years. Temples often feature sculptural panels of deities, myths and legends on their outer walls. We examine some of the legends, such as the Tripurantaka legend of Shiva, commonly depicted on temple walls, for astronomical symbolism. Heavenly bodies, such as the Sun, Moon and planets, are deified in traditions of the Indic religions, and we examine some of these deities depicted in temple sculptures. We also discuss the Dikpalas—guardians of the directions—often depicted to safeguard temple precincts. The phenomena of Sun Temples, depictions of eclipses, zodiacal stones and navagraha worship are also dealt with. Finally, we examine Sun-facing structures, such as rock-cut temples and structural temples, which are designed to interact with the rising or setting Sun on given days of the year.

ABSTRACT: A STUDY IN ARCHAEO ASTRONOMY A method was developed to find the age of ancient monuments using the sun’s declination in antiquity. This method showed the monument ages in the study are significantly older than those calculated via other methods. In this paper we present the results from the study of Teotihuacan in Mexico and El Infiernito in Colombia Thousands of years in the past, the earth's axis due to the variation in its obliquity (nutation) and its precession, pointed to the celestial sphere in a different direction than it does today. These two factors made the sun rays impinge upon a site on earth at an angle different than it does today at any time during the year. Since the early days in human history it has been claimed, some archaeological monuments were designed in antiquity to align with the sun at certain times during the year. Those claims were and are mostly based on observations under contemporary astronomical conditions, not under the then prevailing conditions in the year they were designed in. Today those monuments have become misaligned since those earth axis’ parameters have continued changing thru the ages; which makes those contemporary observations just approximations. Going back in time to find the original direction the earth's axis pointed to when the monuments were designed to align with the sun, allows us to calculate their ages. Plotting the calculated sun's geographic positions during the solstice thru millennia with respect to a monument on a GIS map, generates a curve analog to an analemma, which we named a Super-Analemma. Extending a line on the GIS map at the azimuth of a monument's axis of symmetry to its intersection point with the Super-Analemma yields the year of the monument's original alignment with the sun; hence its age. Applying the method in various archaeological sites unexpected alignments of the sun were found in combination with those from the moon, in the years the method indicated the monuments were designed. These alignments validated some of those traditionally claimed singly for the sun or the moon, but with greater precision. The Teotihuacan results show that the position of the pyramids in the layout, not only matches various astronomical phenomena but also show the arrangement reflects the planetary system. The connection between the events and the physical layout is punctuated by the Avenue of the Dead: Its length, its orientation and its displacement from the pyramid of the sun. The following sites are included in the complete study: Teotihuacán in México, El Infiernito in Colómbia, Mohenjo Daro in Pakistan, Machu Picchu in Peru, Giza in Egypt, Kalasasaya in Bolivia, Stonehenge in the UK and Tifariti in W. Sahara.

Built in the early 12 th century AD, Angkor Wat is one of the world's largest religious structures. The purpose of the present study was to determine if solstice alignments are incorporated in the design of the structure. Assessment of Google Earth Pro satellite imagery and LiDAR data revealed multiple solstice alignments incorporated in the design of Angkor Wat. Expanding on this, solstice alignments were further identified for 11 nearby major temples. A total of 73 solstice alignments were thus identified. The multiplicity of solar alignments, combined with other data suggest that it was important for the Angkor temples to be connected to the Sun. If, as suggested by ethnohistoric data, Angkor temples were microcosmic models of the cosmos, then arguably, solstice alignments connected the temples to the cyclic movement of the universe as manifested by the solar cycle.

Since the Spring of 2012 a series of field campaigns were started aimed at measuring azimuths and, where possible, the horizon heights, of the main Etruscan sacred structures. The results achieved in this work have led to the hypothesis that the orientation of Etruscan temples was determined by the movement of the sun, with a clear preference for the sky arc where the sun never rises or sets but where it goes through every day of the year, lighting up the front of the sacred structures for multiple hours a day. Starting from these results, this contribution will be focused on a more specific analysis of the collected data, concerning the distribution of the orientations, and on a comparison with the temples of the ancient Greek world. Finally, through an interdisciplinary approach that combines data from the archaeological, epigraphic and literary record to those of the orientation, it will try to reflect both on the reasons that may have determined the general distribution of the orientation of Etruscan temples, both on the motivations and factors that may have influenced the orientations of the individual structures.