archaeoastronomy

American  

[ahr-kee-oh-uh-stron-uh-mee] / ˌɑr ki oʊ əˈstrɒn ə mi /

Or archeoastronomy

noun

1. 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.

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archaeoastronomy British  

/ ˌɑːkɪəʊəˈstrɒnəmɪ /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• archaeoastronomer
  noun
• archaeoastronomical
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of archaeoastronomy

First recorded in 1970–75; archaeo- + astronomy