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<< News >> Chinese discover Ancient Observatory Stone Circle

Submitted by Andy B on Sunday, 30 October 2005  Page Views: 11971

DigsCountry: China Type: Stone Circle

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Chinese archaeologists claim to have discovered the world’s earliest observatory, dateing back to some 4,100 years ago, in north China’s Shanxi province. The ancient observatory in the Taosi relics site is at least 2,000 years older than the 1,000-year-old observatory built by the Mayans in central America, a research fellow with the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, He Nu said.

He said the observatory, built at the end of the primitive society, “was not only used for observing astronomical phenomena but also for sacrificial rites.”

The remains of the observatory, in the shape of a semicircle 40 meters in diameter in the main observation platform and 60 meters in diameter in the outer circle, appeared to have been made by rammed earth in three circles, Xinhua news agency reported.

Archaeologists inferred that 13 stone pillars stood on the foundation of the first circle originally, forming 12 gaps between them.

“The ancient people observed the direction of sunrise through the gaps and distinguished the different seasons of the year,” He said.

In order to test the conjecture, archaeologists spent a year and a half simulating the observations of the findings at the site. To their surprise, the seasons marked by observation at the site are only one or two days different from the seasonal division of the traditional Chinese calendar.

The Taosi relics site found in Shanxi province, dated back to 4,300 years ago, covers an area of three million square metres.

It is believed to be a settlement of the period of the five legendary rulers (2,600 BC-1,600 BC) in Chinese history.

A historical document says that China had special officials in charge of astronomical observation as early as the 24th century BC. The discovery of the ancient observatory in Taosi confirmed the records.

Wang Shouguan, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said China was at an advanced level in the world in terms of astronomy in ancient times.

"However, we know very little about China's astronomy in the prehistoric period. The discovery will help the study of ancient astronomy," Wang added.

Experts called on related government departments to make plans to better protect the site and restore the ancient observatory.

Source: Xinhua

Note: Intriguing, but haven't they heard of Stonehenge?

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"Chinese discover Ancient Observatory Stone Circle" | Login/Create an Account | 2 News and Comments
  
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Re: by astronomer on Wednesday, 02 November 2005
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I totally agree with Jack. Stonehenge and many other sites in Britain are contemporary with this one in China. The same thing was happening inEgypt. No matter, it simply serves that about 2000BC humanity was beginning to contemplate the infinite rather than local gods. No big deal at all. The contemplation of the skies was the first universal 'god'. It made sense. But I do think that 24th C BC is pushing things...me suspects a typo.

c1000BC the Greeks had not quite yet abandoned their local (had to be appeased) gods, Zeus and the like, in favour of a bigger all-encompasing diety, the Nous (that could be approached as a respected friend and buddy), but they were well on the way.

Early Christainity then cashes in on the same idea with Yarweh and BIG G. Islam does the much the same thing a bit later in the 7thC AD.

All much of a muchness. We all want to contemplate the infinite. Call it what you will.
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Re: by JACKME on Monday, 31 October 2005
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Many of our sites are equally old and some probably older.
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