The Sun in Ancient Civilizations
What do Stonehenge, Mayan pyramids, and a spacecraft a million miles away have in common?
They’re linked by a human need to explore and understand the Sun, moon, planets, and the
stars. The sun has been seen as a god in most anicent cultures throughout time and around the
world. Why is this?
The image to right is a snapshot of the Sun. Take a few minutes to see what the sun looks like
right now! Click below and spend 5 minutes exploring. http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov
NASA continues to pay close attention to the Sun today through ground and satellite-based
observatories, still seeking to understand this star as a dominant influence on our lives. The
Sun seems to have a major role not only in religious practices of indigenous people, but also
art, culture, and more.
What influence did the sun have on ancient peoples? Why did it play a major role in most
Native American religious practices and social events?
Image to left: Hovenweep National Monument in Colorado - USA:
This spectacular sunset was taken during a summer solstice.
Hovenweep National Monument protects five prehistoric,
Puebloan-era villages spread over a twenty-mile expanse of mesa
tops and canyons along the Utah-Colorado border. The "sun
room" a rectangular room attached to southern side of this tower
could have been used to mark the equinoxes and solstices. Beams
of light shine through portholes illuminating support beams on
doorways in the room.
In another example on the right, the Mayans built the Pyramid of
Kulkulkan in El Castillo, Mexico between 1000 and 1200 A.D. with
the Sun's movement in mind. This 75 foot-tall, squared based
pyramid is unique among all known pyramids worldwide for its
central role in a dramatic shadow and light display during the spring
and fall equinoxes. The axes that run through the northwest and
southwest corners of the pyramid are oriented toward the rising
point of the Sun at the summer solstice and its setting point at the
winter solstice. Kukulcan is the Mayan name for the Feathered
Serpent God (also known as Quetzalcoatl to the Aztecs).
In Chaco Canyon, located in New Mexico, USA - several structures indicate the ancient
culture's understanding of the Sun's movements. In one structure, special corner
windows let sunlight through to shine on the back wall during the summer solstice
creating what is called the "Sun Dagger". This occurs during equinoxes and solstices
creating a thin sliver of light on a spiral petroglyph. Why would these people create
such a structure? What did they think of the sun and sunlight? How did it influence
their lives?
Remember 6th grade studying the ancient Egyptians? Remember Ra? The Sun
god Ra was the most universally worshipped king of the gods and all-father of
creation. He commanded a chariot that rode across the sky during the day.
What chariot am I referring to? The sun! The magnificent temple at Karnak
celebrates Ra through its enormous pillars, designed in harmony with the Sun
and stars over a span of nearly 2000 years.
We may never know for certain just how these solar-inspired
structures were used. There also remains some controversy about
their exact details and the actual intent of their creators. But we can
at least admire their creators for what must have been a sophisticated
understanding of the Sun's movements. We can also admire them for
their cleverness in applying this knowledge to enhance their own
survival in a largely unforgiving environment.
In Chinese mythology (cosmology), there were originally ten suns in the sky, which were all
brothers. They were supposed to emerge one at a time as commanded by the Jade
Emperor. They were all very young and loved to fool around. Once they decided to all go
into the sky to play, all at once. This made the world too hot for anything to grow. A hero
named Hou Yi shot down nine of them with a bow and arrow to save the people of the
earth. He is still honored this very day.
On the left is Taiyang Shen, the Chinese solar deity
We know today that the sun is a magnetic star that impacts the Earth and other planets in our solar system in
many ways. Humans of all cultures and times have and will continue to use technology to understand the Sun and
the Universe beyond.
In science – we know that patterns can be used to identify cause and effect relationships.
Think about how this relates to the sun.
Open your journal. Title your page “Solar Patterns”. Below that write “we know that patterns can be used to
identify cause and effect relationships”.
Answer the following questions in your journal. Include the questions in your answers. Write a several sentences
for each of your answers. Be prepared to share your thoughts or opinions with the class.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Why might these ancient civilizations have created these structures?
What causes an equinox? Is there a pattern to when they occur? Why?
What is a solstice? Is there a pattern to when they occur? Why?
What patterns can we observe about the sun as seen from Earth?
Wonderment – list three thoughtful questions relating to this topic.