Antiquities, Indigenous astronomy -- Congresses, Indigenous cosmology, Indigenous peoples -- Antiquities -- Congresses, America -- Antiquities -- Congresses, Maya astronomy -- Congresses, Indigenous astronomy, Indigenous peoples -- Antiquities, Maya astronomy, Archaeoastronomy -- America, Archaeoastronomy, Astronomy 

"Native American Astronomy is a sequel to Archaeoastronomy in Pre-Columbian America, a book which Scientific American called "a guide to long and hopeful journeys that lie ahead and are sure to surprise us all." In this new volume fifteen specialists in archaeology, astronomy, architecture, art history, mathematics, solar physics, and anthropology explore the astronomical knowledge and beliefs of pre-Columbian peoples in the Americas.

These contributions expand the geographical scope beyond the first volume's focus on Mesoamerica and the American Southwest. Essays on the astronomy and calendar of the Inca and on the medicine wheels of the Plains Indians extend the boundaries into South America and Canada. Among other topics explored is the relationship between cosmology and the planning of religious centers in ancient America. There are essays on the Maya and Aztec, who actually sought to mirror heaven in their earthly abode, sometimes regarded as cosmically significant. The ancient calendars of the Maya, who could clock the movements of Venus to within one hour in four centuries, are examined, and here also is an account of the search for an interpretation of the record carved in stone of the great supernova explosion of A.D. 1054 which produced Crab Nebula."--Book jacket. 

xvii, 286 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm. 

Includes bibliographical references and index.