Decoding Astronomy in Art and Architecture

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiii

   PDF

2. History of Cosmic Symbolism in Art and Architecture

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. Introduction to Archaeoastronomy Topics

      • Marion Dolan

      Pages 2-4

   3. Basics of Astronomy and Archaeoastronomy

      • Marion Dolan

      Pages 5-14

   4. World’s Earliest Art and Architecture

      • Marion Dolan

      Pages 15-32

   5. Neolithic Art, Architecture, and Astronomy

      • Marion Dolan

      Pages 33-46

   6. Art, Architecture, and Astronomy in the British Isles

      • Marion Dolan

      Pages 47-64

   7. Art, Architecture, and Astronomy in England

      • Marion Dolan

      Pages 65-79

3. Astronomical Art and Architecture of Southeast Asia

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 80-80

      PDF

   2. Hinduism and Cosmology in India

      • Marion Dolan

      Pages 81-88

   3. Art, Archaeology, and Astronomy at Angkor Wat Temple

      • Marion Dolan

      Pages 89-106

   4. Art, Architecture, and Astronomy of Buddhism

      • Marion Dolan

      Pages 107-127

4. Astronomical Art and Architecture of China

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 128-128

      PDF

   2. Art, Architecture, and Astronomy in China

      • Marion Dolan

      Pages 129-145

5. Astronomical Art and Architecture of the Classical World

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 146-146

      PDF

   2. Art, Architecture, and Astronomy in Classical Greece

      • Marion Dolan

      Pages 147-170

   3. Art, Architecture, and Astronomy of Petra

      • Marion Dolan

      Pages 171-184

   4. Art, Architecture, and Astronomy in the Roman Empire

      • Marion Dolan

      Pages 185-213

6. Astronomical Art and Architecture of Early Europe

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 214-214

      PDF

   2. Astronomy and Cosmology in the Middle Ages

      • Marion Dolan

      Pages 215-260

For centuries, our ancestors carefully observed the movements of the heavens and wove that astronomical knowledge into their city planning, architecture, mythology, paintings, sculpture, and poetry. This book uncovers the hidden messages and advanced science encoded within these sacred spaces, showing how the rhythmic motions of the night sky played a central role across many different cultures. 

Our astronomical tour transports readers through time and space, from prehistoric megaliths to Renaissance paintings, Greco-Roman temples to Inca architecture. Along the way, you will investigate unexpected findings at Lascaux, Delphi, Petra, Angkor Wat, Borobudur, and many more archaeological sites both famous and little known. Through these vivid examples, you will come to appreciate the masterful ways that astronomical knowledge was incorporated into each society’s religion and mythology, then translated into their physical surroundings. 

The latest archaeoastronomical studies and discoveries are recounted through a poetic and nontechnical narrative, revealing how many longstanding beliefs about our ancestors are being overturned. Through this celestial journey, readers of all backgrounds will learn the basics about this exciting field and share in the wonders of cultural astronomy. 

• Ancient cosmology
• Sacred architecture
• Cultural astronomy
• Celestial Symbolism
• Maya cosmology
• Buddhist stupas
• Zodiacal images
• universal cosmic symbols
• the cosmic man
• the world tree
• lascaux caves
• astronomy in ancient egypt
• astronomy in mesopotamia
• astronomy in southeast asia
• astronomy in china
• medieval astronomy
• mesoamerican astronomy
• astronomy in south america
• inca astronomy
• astronomical architecture

“I enjoyed reading this book. I revelled in the ancient art, I was amazed by many of the old buildings, I was pleased to see the extensive lists of references to the hard work of archaeologists and archaeoastronomers. But I was left wondering whether the town planners, the artists, or the architects … knew much about astronomy. … The reader needs convincing before trying to decode something that might not even be present.” (David W. Hughes, The Observatory,June, 2022)



“This book is certainly the most accessible survey of worldwide archaeo-astronomy that has been published of late. It is enhanced by scores of photographs, all in colour … . Dolan has done a tremendous service to the oft-maligned and misunderstood study of archaeoastronomy. And with its broad remit in both time and space, this will remain for many years a valuable planet-wide survey of sites from the prehistoric to the Renaissance.” (Clifford Cunningham, Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage, VOl. 24 (4), 2021)

• Deerfield Beach, USA

  Marion Dolan

Dr. Dolan received her BS, MFA and PhD from the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in medieval manuscripts, minoring in medieval architecture and history of astronomy. She taught at the University of Pittsburgh and Carlow University for many years. Now an independent scholar, she continues her research on the transmission of astronomical knowledge and lectures on art history at the NSU Museum of Art, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, where she also serves as a docent. Archaeoastronomy has been a lifelong area of study; she has taught the subject many times, including aboard a ship during a cruise around the world as faculty member for Semester at Sea based at the University of Virginia, where she was able to observe firsthand and to teach students at many historic sites.

Dr. Dolan has studied astronomical manuscripts in the libraries of Europe, specializing in the surviving Aratea manuscripts. Her research was published in the book Astronomical Knowledge Transmission Through Illustrated Aratea Manuscripts (Springer, 2017). 

Policies and ethics