Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of figures and tables
- List of contributors
- Acknowledgements
- The Archaeology of Measurement
- Introduction: Measure: Towards the construction of our world
- SECTION I NUMBER: COUNTING, MATHEMATICS AND MEASURE
- SECTION II MATERIALISING THE ECONOMY
- SECTION III DIMENSIONS AND BELIEF
- SECTION IV CALENDAR AND COSMOLOGY
- 14 The measurement of time and distance in the heavens above Mesopotamia, with brief reference made to other ancient astral sciences
- 15 Evolution of the calendar in Shang China
- 16 The measure of time in Mesoamerica: From Teotihuacan to the Maya
- 17 Measuring time, sacred space, and social place in the Inca Empire
- 18 Measuring time in the European Neolithic? The function and meaning of Central European circular enclosures
- SECTION V THE SPIRITUALITY OF MEASURE
- Index
- References
18 - Measuring time in the European Neolithic? The function and meaning of Central European circular enclosures
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of figures and tables
- List of contributors
- Acknowledgements
- The Archaeology of Measurement
- Introduction: Measure: Towards the construction of our world
- SECTION I NUMBER: COUNTING, MATHEMATICS AND MEASURE
- SECTION II MATERIALISING THE ECONOMY
- SECTION III DIMENSIONS AND BELIEF
- SECTION IV CALENDAR AND COSMOLOGY
- 14 The measurement of time and distance in the heavens above Mesopotamia, with brief reference made to other ancient astral sciences
- 15 Evolution of the calendar in Shang China
- 16 The measure of time in Mesoamerica: From Teotihuacan to the Maya
- 17 Measuring time, sacred space, and social place in the Inca Empire
- 18 Measuring time in the European Neolithic? The function and meaning of Central European circular enclosures
- SECTION V THE SPIRITUALITY OF MEASURE
- Index
- References
Summary
In this chapter I will focus on the archaeology of Neolithic circular enclosures in order to understand better their potential for further analysis regarding early measurement of space and time. In particular I will focus on the Neolithic circular enclosure in Goseck and not only introduce the site, but also present fresh data that may help shift our understanding of the meanings and functions of the phenomenon of the Middle Neolithic enclosures in Europe. These enclosures are especially interesting because they emerged and were used over a period of approximately two centuries (ca. 4900–4700 BC) and then just as abruptly disappeared. I will also discuss evidence for the astronomical function of the Goseck enclosure. This evidence is mainly based on Wolfhard Schlosser's work on the Goseck material, and I am grateful to him for letting me use and present his astronomical results in my analysis of the Goseck excavation data. Furthermore, I will discuss how this evidence could be operationalized to address questions of an early measuring system as well as of cosmology, cult and ritual, and the complex roles of these regarding identity, memory and experience for these early agriculturalists in Europe.
Neolithic enclosures in Europe
Neolithic enclosures have been known in Europe for over 100 years and have fascinated archaeologists and the public alike. The image of monumental architecture made of stone, wood or earth constructed some 7,000 years ago was so powerful that it has long incited archaeologists to search for the origin of this European phenomenon and to investigate its spread and function.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Archaeology of MeasurementComprehending Heaven, Earth and Time in Ancient Societies, pp. 229 - 244Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2010
References
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