![]() ![]() From the early second millennium BCE we have Babylonian cuneiform texts containing omens drawn from the appearance of celestial phenomena including eclipses and texts containing simple numerical schemes for the variation in the length of day and night over the seasons, as well as evidence for a well-established tradition of the star and constellation names. The earliest written texts known from Mesopotamia attest to knowledge of the cycles of the sun and moon in the form of a calendar with months which began with the first appearance of the new moon crescent and the addition of an extra thirteenth month in certain years in order to keep the calendar in line with the seasons. Mesopotamian astronomy has been of key importance for the development of western and Islamic astronomy as many concepts we still use (form the zodiac signs to the 360 degree division of the circle used to measures angles) derive from them. In addition, the night sky provided phenomena which could be interpreted through systems of astrology to predict the future and understand the past and present. Changes in the night sky were connected to life on earth through the development of calendars which linked the cycles of the sun, moon, and stars to both civil life, for example through farming seasons, and religion through the performance of rituals on specific dates during the month or year. This led to a widespread familiarity with the night sky and the recognition of cycles of the behavior of celestial bodies. ![]() For ancient people all over the world the sky was an integral part of their natural environment. ![]()
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