archaeoastronomy

or ar·che·o·as·tron·o·my

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

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.

archaeoastronomy

/ ˌɑːkɪəʊəˈstrɒnəmɪ /

noun

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

Derived Forms

• ˌarchaeoasˈtronomer, noun

Other Words From

• archae·o·as·trono·mer noun
• ar·chae·o·as·tro·nom·i·cal [ahr-kee-oh-as-tr, uh, -, nom, -i-k, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of archaeoastronomy¹

First recorded in 1970–75; archaeo- + astronomy