Since ancient times, humans have been amazed by the night sky. They have learned to identify celestial objects, name them, and explain their movements. These observations led to the beginnings of ancient astronomy.

Early Evidence of Ancient Astronomy

The earliest evidence of ancient astronomy dates back to the Paleolithic period. During this time, humans learned to identify the sun, moon, and stars in the sky. They used the movements of these objects to lay the foundations of civilizations. For example, the Bantu people of Africa learned to farm using the movements of the sun.

Later Developments in Ancient Astronomy

During the Neolithic period, humans learned to identify other celestial objects in the sky. They discovered planets such as Venus, Mercury, Saturn, and Jupiter. They also began to study the movements of these planets.

Babylonia: A Major Center of Ancient Astronomy

One of the most important centers of ancient astronomy was Babylonia. The Babylonians studied the sky with great precision. They developed a complex system for identifying and explaining the movements of celestial objects. The Babylonians were also responsible for many important discoveries in astronomy. They found that the Earth is spherical and that the Earth revolves around the sun.