Stairways to the Stars: Skywatching in Three Great Ancient Cultures (Paperback)

~ Anthony Aveni (Author) "The Lakota Sioux say that when the constellation of the Chief's Hand (the lower portion of our Orion) disappears from the sky, the earth will..." (more)
Key Phrases: northern standstill, lunar standstills, lunar synodic month, Venus Table, Heel Stone, Aubrey Holes (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

What is the meaning of Stonehenge? Why was the elaborate Incan city of Cuzco built? What is the significance of the Great Pyramid at the ancient Mayan city of Chichén Itz´? These ancient structures have spellbound natives and tourists alike. This mysterious architecture points to a centuries-old search for celestial order. Anthony Aveni, a professor of astronomy and anthropology, takes us on a stimulating virtual tour of these legendary constructions. He describes how they were built and straightforwardly and often humorously critiques diverse theories attempting to explain their origin and function. For example, Aveni breathes life into the mysteries of the Great Pyramid and its use as a sacred temple, sacrificial altar, and celestial calendar. Wonderfully written, the book's primary focus is the prominent role of astrology in the design and construction of ancient structures, and even entire cities. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

With little or no technology, many ancient societies achieved significant understanding of the movements and cycles of the moon, sun, planets, and stars. The primary difference between their astronomy and ours is that they believed the sky served as a connection between the natural and spiritual world, while our Western view of science dictates an objective, quantifiable, and measurable existence. Using the findings of the last decade, Aveni (Behind the Crystal Ball, LJ 8/96) examines the astronomy of three ancient societies: Great Britain and Stonehenge; the Mayas and the cult of Venus; and the Incas and the city of Cuzco, built as a vast observatory. Also included is a chapter on "naked eye" observing that allows readers to see the night sky as did our ancient ancestors. This book is not as much a history of astronomy, as is E.C. Krupp's recent Skywatchers, Shaman's & Kings (LJ 10/15/96), but a focused survey of the beliefs and astronomy of three ancient cultures and how they compare and contrast with the prevailing way that Western society watches the night sky. Recommended for public and academic libraries.?Gloria Maxwell, Kansas City P.L., Kan.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (February 8, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471329762
• ISBN-13: 978-0471329763
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #239,165 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new look at the stars, April 26, 1999

By A Customer

One of my earliest memories is of lying on my back in the snow, just looking up at the stars. I've long since lost the ability to look at stars through the eyes of a child, but Anthony Aveni's book, Stairways to the Stars, has given me a whole new way of looking at them. For ancient cultures, the night sky was an ever-present companion. They used it as both calendar and augur, to track and predict the seasons, foretell the future, and understand the present. But the night sky we see is strongly dependent on where we live. The stars and stellar events (such as eclipses) that we see change, depending on where we see them from.

In a society based on the sky, how much of the sky you can see (and what's in it) becomes critical. So what the Mayans chose to focus on will be different from what the Celts considered important. And that may have had far-reaching effects on their society. From charts of the planet Mars in ancient Mayan codexes to the role of Stonehenge as an observatory, watching the skies left lasting, tangible effects on societies.

It's an interesting, thoughtful book. I enjoyed it, even though it's not an overwhelmingly easy read. Certainly there are times when it feels like a textbook (and the section of exercises at the end certainly doesn't hurt that sense).

If you're a beginning stargazer, I'd suggest something a bit more straightforward. But if you've been looking up at the night sky for years ... or if you're interested in ancient societies, I think you'll probably find this book well worth your time. For more reviews, check out my web page at exn.ca/printedmatter

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a bit disappointing, December 25, 2001

By A Customer

I found this book with high hopes since I'm very interested in both astronomy and ancient civilizations, but this book's writing is just not strong enough to tie everything together. It reads like a textbook in many parts with unclear explanations to all but the scientifically adept. I wanted to know more about each of these societies and cultures (Incans, Mayans, Babylonians, etc...) but this book only scratches the surface. Despite the interesting topic and neat cover, I found the book disappointing for its lack of clear information, the necessary background and the often obtuse writing.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars worthwhile, a little complex in places, July 17, 2008

By	R. M. Williams "just an avid reader" (tucson, arizona USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I came to the book as a part of a quick study on the origins of the 7 day week with particular regards to the Sabbath and the questions i have surrounding it.

I like the author's style of writing, comprehensiveness and scientific mindset, so much that i started his Empires of Time this morning. I think i read these two books in the wrong order, i'd recommend reading empires first and then this book. there are a few places that background information would have made stairways a bit easier to understand and perhaps flow a bit smoother.

I appreciate the author's expertise and ability to made difficult ideas understandable while at the same time explain what went into his thinking so that i can recapitulate from his data and perhaps understand his reasoning from the inside out. it is a field a bit confused by sloppy thinking and bad pseudoscience like astrology and numerology and i really appreciate his desire to present the best science and not speculate further than the data extends, a refreshing feeling after scanning lots of trash while getting the basic info for my study.

he must be an excellent teacher.