Exploring Ancient Skies

David Humiston Kelley is a Canadian archaeologist and epigrapher, most noted for his work on the phonetic analysis and major contributions toward the decipherment of the writing system used by the Maya civilization of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, the Maya script. Eugene Frank Milone received a bachelor's degree from Columbia University in 1961, and a Ph.D. in astronomy from Yale University. After teaching for several years at Gettysburg College he re-located in 1971 to the University of Calgary, where he served as Director of the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory. Milone has published many technical papers in various areas of astronomical research, particularly specializing in variable stars and photometry and archaeoastronomy, and has served on several professional committees.

• Foreword.- Preface.- Acknowledgements.- List of Illustrations.- Part I - Astronomical Background.- 1. Historical Perspectives.- 2. Principal Features of the Sky.- 3. Observational Methods and Problems.- 4. Time and the Calendar.- 5. Transient Phenomena.- Part II - Astronomy in Cultures.- 6. Paleolithic and Neolithic Cultures.- 7. Antecedents of the Western Tradition.- 8. African Cultures.- 9. Indo-Iranian Cultures.- 10. China, Korea, and Japan.- 11. Oceanic Cultures.- 12. Mesoamerica.- 13. America North of Mexico.- 14. South American Cultures.- 15. The Descent of the Gods and the Purposes of Ancient Astronomy.- Appendices.- A. Archaeoastronomy Tools.- B. Modern Star Charts.- C. Sample Exercises and Problems.- D. Mayan Calendar Progression: A Sample.- References and Bibliography.- Index.

From the reviews: "...An invaluable resource for any astronomical historian-hobbyist or professional...Their book is a blockbuster achievement that will be a great reference source for details, discussion, and argument for years to come." (Owen Gingerich, SKY AND TELESCOPE, August 2005) "Exploring Ancient Skies aims to cover the entire spectrum of the subject - scientific, geographical, mythological and historical - and to underline many of the interpretive problems. It succeeds superbly. I will turn to it time and again, not only for reference but also for enjoyment." (David Hughes, THE TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT, December 2, 2005) "Exploring Ancient Skies aims to cover the entire spectrum of the subject - scientific, geographical, mythological and historical ... . It succeeds superbly. I will turn to it time and again, not only for reference but also for enjoyment. Students, scholars and researchers will benefit hugely ... . The book's scope is vast. ... It is profusely illustrated and much care has been taken with the production of the descriptive figures. There is also a 50-page reference section and a thorough index." (David Hughes, The Times Higher, December, 2005) "David Kelly, a distinguished linguist ... and Eugene Milone, a widely traveled astronomer, both from the University of Calgary, have teamed up to produce their hefty and aptly titled Exploring Ancient Skies. ... lists some 3,000 bibliographical sources - a wealth of information that every astronomy teacher ... would love to have within arm's reach. ... Their book is a block-buster achievement that will be a great reference source for details, discussion, and argument for years to come." (Owen Gingerich, Sky & Telescope, August, 2005) "Kelly (emer., archaeology, Univ. of Calgary) and Milone (Univ. of Calgary) review what is known of pre-telescopic astronomy and its place in cultures worldwide. ... This book is well served by many data tables, drawings, photographs ... references to the literature, and an annotated guide to archaeostronomy tools. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals." (M. Dickinson, CHOICE, Vol. 42 (9), May, 2005) From the reviews of the second edition: "The book is based on an archaeoastronomy course at the University of Calgary, Canada, taught by the authors to a collection of astronomy, archaeology, and general second-year students. ... In Exploring Ancient Skies the students are encouraged to wander the early pre-telescopic world, and investigate the usefulness of astronomy to ancient cultures. ... This excellent introduction to the subject is profusely illustrated, and eminently readable." (David W. Hughes, The Observatory, Vol. 131 (1225), December, 2011)