A sky dome visualisation for identification of astronomical orientations

摘要: It has long been known that ancient temples were frequently oriented along the cardinal directions or to certain points horizon where Sun Moon rise set on special days of year. In last decades, archaeologists have found evidence even older building structures buried in soil, with doorways also appear distinct orientations. This paper presents a novel diagram combining archaeological maps folded-apart, flattened view whole sky, showing local and daily paths Sun, brighter stars. By use this diagram, interesting groupings astronomical orientation directions, e.g. Sunrise Sunset could be identified, which evidently used mark Orientations few significant stars very likely indicated beginning agricultural year middle neolithic period