Thursday, 31. August 2006
Ancient Observatories

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Many Native American sites throughout the Southwest United States offer a glimpse of the importance the sun played in religious practices and ceremonies. Pueblo Bonito is the most recognized and studied site in Chaco Canyon.

A National Monument since 1907, the 'great house' shows many of the distinctive architectural elements of pueblo architecture, including planned layouts, large rooms and many circular chambers known as kivas.


One of the most famous Incan cities in the world, sun alignments are found throughout Machu Picchu. Many features, including the Sacred Plaza, The Temple of Three Windows and The Intihuatana platform, align with the summer solstice azimuth of 65-245 degrees.

Scientists believe these alignments were primary considerations in the construction of the shrines. A shaft of light, shining through an east-facing window, reportedly illuminates The Torreon, or Temple of the Sun, during the summer solstice.

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Ancient Observatories: Satellite images of ancient observatory sites
Category: Astrology & Astronomy | Buildings & Places |




News & Stories

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Scholar: Iliad, Odyssey Penned by Woman by Discovery News.
"In many oral traditions, the best and most reliable creators, the ones who are used by folklore collectors, happen to be women." Dalby explained that women throughout the ancient world were "often the last and most skillful exponents of an oral tradition." For example, the world’s first named poet was a Sumerian woman named Enheduanna, who lived from around 2285-2250 B.C. Dalby said women also saved the ancient oral poetry of the northern Japanese, many Irish traditions, and numerous English folk ballads.

Hitler and Stalin Were Possessed by the Devil by Daily Mail.
"I am convinced that the Nazis were all possessed. All you have to do is think about what Hitler - and Stalin did. Almost certainly they were possessed by the Devil."
Father Amorth, who is president of the International Association of Exorcists, said of the JK Rowling books: "Behind Harry Potter hides the signature of the king of the darkness, the devil."

"Atlantis" Eruption Twice as Big as Previously Believed, Study Suggests by National Geographic News.

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The eruption occurred 3,600 years ago on the Santorini archipelago, whose largest island is Thera. Santorini is located in the Aegean Sea about 125 miles (200 kilometers) southeast of modern-day Greece. Writing in this week's issue of the journal Eos, a team of Greek and U.S. researchers estimate that the volcano released 14 cubic miles (60 cubic kilometers) of magma—six times more than the infamous 1883 eruption of Krakatau (Krakatoa).


Scientology nearly ready to unveil Super Power by St. Petersburg Times.
Under wraps for decades, Super Power now is being prepped for its eventual rollout in Scientology's massive building in downtown Clearwater. That will be the only place worldwide where the program, much anticipated by Scientologists, will be offered. A key aim of Super Power is to enhance one's perceptions - and not just the five senses we all know - hearing, sight, touch, taste and smell.

Dig unearths round table evidence at Windsor Castle by The Independent.
Evidence of a building linked to the myth of King Arthur and the knights of the round table has been found at Windsor Castle. The circular structure was built by Edward III in the 14th century to house the round table intended to seat the original 300 Knights of the Garter. Archaeological proof of the building was uncovered by members of Channel 4's Time Team in the castle's quadrangle.

Some news-links do not last long. In this case please send me a note.
Category: News & Stories |




Native American Rock Art

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The Ecstatic Shaman

The radiant hair of this small figure identifies it as an entranced shaman. Hair, because of its growth and regeneration, is one of the most magical parts of the human body, and is therefore thought to be vulnerable to supernatural influences. This superstition is expressed in the Biblical tale of Samson, whose power resided in his uncut hair, and in folk magic that considers hair and nail clippings necessary for many charms and spells. Many of the inverted flying or falling figures in the Pecos River style pictographs are shown with streaming unbound hair, one of the characteristics that


illustrates the symbolic flight of the shaman between the worlds of the living and the dead; the shaman at the height of his mystical power and immune to attack by evil spirits. This figure from Panther Cave is duplicated at nearby Lookout Shelter, and at Rattlesnake Canyon on the Rio Grande above Langtry. Variations on the theme of unbound hair are found throughout the Lower Pecos region in Texas and northern Coahuila.

White Shaman: Bird on Hand

Adjacent to the profile shaman is another of the rare white shamans, shown in the traditional frontal pose. On his arm he bears what appears to be a bird. Birds are traditional messengers, and culture heroes are often assisted by their winged familiars who serve as their far-seeing eyes. A more prosaic explanation may be that this is the portrait of one particular shaman whose trademark was a tamed bird. Many of the shaman figures are drawn with objects hanging from or sitting on their arms. Clearly not all of them are birds, but they may represent various medicine bundles or charms which, in historic times, were often carried in pouches.

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The Rock Art Foundation (RAF) exists to promote the conservation and study of the Native American rock art in the Lower Pecos region of Southwest Texas.
Category: Buildings & Places | Ethno & Shamanism |


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