The history of astronomy: From prehistory to the 20th century

Astronomy is the oldest of sciences. Archaeological discoveries have provided evidence of astronomical observations among prehistoric peoples. Since ancient times, the sky has been used as a map, calendar, and clock. The oldest astronomical records date from approximately 3000 BC and are due to the Chinese, Babylonians, Assyrians and Egyptians. At that time, the stars were studied for practical purposes, such as measuring the passage of time (calendars), predicting the best time for planting and harvesting, or for purposes more related to astrology, such as making predictions about the future, who believed that the sky gods had the power of harvest, rain and even life.
By studying megalithic sites such as those at Callanish in Scotland, the Stonehenge circle in England, dating from 2500 to 1700 BC. C., and the Carnac alignments in Brittany, astronomers and archaeologists have concluded that the alignments and circles served as landmarks indicating references. and important points on the horizon, such as the extreme positions of the rising and setting of the Sun and the Moon, throughout the year. These megalithic monuments are authentic observatories for predicting eclipses in the Stone Age.
At Stonehenge, each stone weighs an average of 26 tons. and the main avenue that runs from the center of the monument points to the place where the sun rises on the longest day of summer. In this structure, some stones are aligned with sunrise and sunset in early summer and winter. The Maya in Central America also had knowledge of the calendar and celestial phenomena, and the Polynesians learned to navigate through celestial observations.