The Remarkable Science of Ancient Astronomy

Why the motions of the sun, moon and stars are so important to ancient people; investigating key astronomical directions noticed by all cultures; studying Stonehenge; seeing how it gave birth to archaeoastronomy and some curious modern theories.

Whether the popular view of Stonehenge as a sophisticated astronomical calculator presided over by Druids is correct; addressing the evidence; surveying the archeological record to discover the most probable function of Stonehenge.

Exploring Neolithic tombs and monuments across Europe; discovering an array of alignments toward astronomical events; studying the sites of Maes Howe and Newgrange, which are similar to Stonehenge in their clear orientation to the winter solstice.

The astronomical significance of Egypt's Great Pyramid; how its builders achieve the accuracy of the pyramid's alignment to the cardinal directions; whether its air shafts intend to point at important stars; claims of the mystical power of pyramids.

Chaco Canyon, where the Anasazi culture practice sky-centered rituals a thousand years ago; looking for evidence of their astronomical knowledge; examining their many "sun daggers"; probing a controversial pictograph.

The astronomy-based worldviews of different ancient cultures; how they answer the three big questions of where the world comes from, what the nature of the universe is and what its fate is; the beliefs of various groups.