Greetings, all
I have posted a new paper to Academia.edu
A Forest of Stars: Weighing Archaeoastronomy Against Other Social Considerations in the Assessment of Ancient American Iconography and Conduct
[www.academia.edu]
An underlying theme is how Mesoamerican scholars might have made a considerable number of interpretive mistakes regarding astronomy symbols and icons, and how this problem might be exacerbated or perpetuated by preconceived notions.
Rather than simply tell scholars they may be doing things the wrong way, I've tried to make the effort to try to demonstrate a little bit of what the right way might look like. There is still a long way to go toward understanding "the right way" but hopefully a step has been made in a positive direction.
I don't really think they're all that far from the truth, but it's still sort of strange to have to try to tell archaeoastronomers that archaeoastronomy is about astronomy, know what I mean?
Hopefully a few loving, well-meaning spankings have been dished out along the way nonetheless, and all accomplished without resorting to "Didn't your mother ever teach you...", lol.
I just finished the paper this morning so it encapsulates virtually all of my thoughts on the matter so far.
I'd be delighted to have feedback on the paper and on the subject in general, although I may not necessarily have anything else to add to the discussion at the moment that isn't already in the (attempt at a) paper.
Cheers!
I have posted a new paper to Academia.edu
A Forest of Stars: Weighing Archaeoastronomy Against Other Social Considerations in the Assessment of Ancient American Iconography and Conduct
[www.academia.edu]
An underlying theme is how Mesoamerican scholars might have made a considerable number of interpretive mistakes regarding astronomy symbols and icons, and how this problem might be exacerbated or perpetuated by preconceived notions.
Rather than simply tell scholars they may be doing things the wrong way, I've tried to make the effort to try to demonstrate a little bit of what the right way might look like. There is still a long way to go toward understanding "the right way" but hopefully a step has been made in a positive direction.
I don't really think they're all that far from the truth, but it's still sort of strange to have to try to tell archaeoastronomers that archaeoastronomy is about astronomy, know what I mean?
Hopefully a few loving, well-meaning spankings have been dished out along the way nonetheless, and all accomplished without resorting to "Didn't your mother ever teach you...", lol.
I just finished the paper this morning so it encapsulates virtually all of my thoughts on the matter so far.
I'd be delighted to have feedback on the paper and on the subject in general, although I may not necessarily have anything else to add to the discussion at the moment that isn't already in the (attempt at a) paper.
Cheers!