archaeoastronomy

or ar·che·o·as·tron·o·my

[ahr-kee-oh-uh-stron-uh-mee]

noun

the branch of archaeology that deals with the apparent use by prehistoric civilizations of astronomical techniques to establish the seasons or the cycle of the year, especially as evidenced in the construction of megaliths and other ritual structures.

Origin of archaeoastronomy

First recorded in 1970–75; archaeo- + astronomy

Also called astroarchaeology, megalithic astronomy.

Related formsar·chae·o·as·tron·o·mer, nounar·chae·o·as·tro·nom·i·cal

[ahr-kee-oh-as-truh-nom-i-kuh l] /ˌɑr ki oʊˌæs trəˈnɒm ɪ kəl/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for archaeoastronomy

archaeoastronomy

archeoastronomy

noun

the scientific study of the beliefs and practices concerning astronomy that existed in ancient and prehistoric civilizations

Derived Formsarchaeoastronomer or archeoastronomer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for archaeoastronomy

1971, from archaeo- + astronomy.