The dawn of astronomy

A study of the temple-worship and mythology of the ancient Egyptians

Lockyer

• Publisher: Science & Technology Publishing
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN:
  9782528119129
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Early American History

The Dawn of Astronomy: A Study of the Temple-Worship and Mythology of the Ancient Egyptians by Sir Norman Lockyer is a pioneering work that explores the profound connections between ancient Egyptian religion, architecture, and astronomy. Drawing on meticulous research and firsthand observations, Lockyer delves into the ways in which the Egyptians aligned their temples and monuments with celestial bodies, revealing a sophisticated understanding of the heavens that shaped their spiritual and daily lives. The book examines the orientation of temples, the significance of solar and stellar worship, and the mythological narratives that underpinned Egyptian cosmology. Lockyer discusses the roles of the sun god Ra, Osiris, Isis, and other deities, illustrating how astronomical phenomena were woven into the fabric of Egyptian mythology and ritual. Through detailed analysis of temple layouts, inscriptions, and ancient texts, The Dawn of Astronomy uncovers the scientific and religious motivations behind the construction of iconic sites such as Karnak, Luxor, and the pyramids of Giza. The work also considers the broader implications of Egyptian astronomical knowledge for the development of science and civilization. Richly illustrated and thoroughly researched, this classic study offers a fascinating glimpse into the minds of the ancient Egyptians, revealing how their reverence for the cosmos shaped one of history's most enduring cultures.

Table of contents

• Transcriber's Notes
• THE DAWN OF ASTRONOMY
• PREFACE.
• CONTENTS.
• LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
• ERRATA.
• CHAPTER I. THE WORSHIP OF THE SUN AND THE DAWN.
• CHAPTER II. THE FIRST GLIMPSES OF EGYPTIAN ASTRONOMY.
• CHAPTER III. THE ASTRONOMICAL BASIS OF THE EGYPTIAN PANTHEON.
• CHAPTER IV. THE TWO HORIZONS.
• CHAPTER V. THE YEARLY PATH OF THE SUN-GOD.
• CHAPTER VI. THE PROBABLE HOR-SHESU WORSHIP.
• CHAPTER VII. METHODS OF DETERMINING THE ORIENTATION OF TEMPLES.
• CHAPTER VIII. THE EARLIEST SOLAR SHRINES IN EGYPT.
• CHAPTER IX. OTHER SIMILAR SHRINES ELSEWHERE.
• CHAPTER X. THE SOLAR TEMPLE OF AMEN-RĀ AT KARNAK.
• CHAPTER XI. THE AGE OF THE TEMPLE OF AMEN-RĀ AT KARNAK.
• CHAPTER XII. THE STARS—THEIR RISINGS AND SETTINGS.
• CHAPTER XIII. THE EGYPTIAN HEAVENS—THE ZODIACS OF DENDERAH.
• CHAPTER XIV. THE CIRCUMPOLAR CONSTELLATIONS: THE MYTH OF HORUS.
• CHAPTER XV. TEMPLES DIRECTED TO THE STARS.
• CHAPTER XVI. FURTHER INQUIRIES WITH REGARD TO THE STELLAR TEMPLES.
• CHAPTER XVII. THE BUILDING INSCRIPTIONS.
• CHAPTER XVIII. THE STAR-TEMPLES AT KARNAK.
• CHAPTER XIX. THE PERSONIFICATION OF STARS—THE TEMPLE OF ISIS AT DENDERAH.
• CHAPTER XX. THE PERSONIFICATION OF STARS (CONTINUED)—THE TEMPLE OF HATHOR AT DENDERAH.
• CHAPTER XXI. STAR-CULTS.
• CHAPTER XXII. STAR-CULTS (CONTINUED)—AMEN-T AND KHONS.
• CHAPTER XXIII. THE EGYPTIAN YEAR AND THE NILE.
• CHAPTER XXIV. THE YEARS OF 360 AND 365 DAYS.
• CHAPTER XXV. THE VAGUE AND THE SIRIAN YEARS.
• CHAPTER XXVI. THE SOTHIC CYCLE AND THE USE MADE OF IT.
• CHAPTER XXVII. THE CALENDAR AND ITS REVISION.
• CHAPTER XXVIII. THE FIXED YEAR AND FESTIVAL CALENDARS.
• CHAPTER XXIX. THE MYTHOLOGY OF ISIS AND OSIRIS.
• CHAPTER XXX. THE TEMPLE-STARS.
• CHAPTER XXXI. THE HISTORY OF SUN-WORSHIP AT ANNU AND THEBES.
• CHAPTER XXXII. THE EARLY TEMPLE AND GREAT PYRAMID BUILDERS.
• CHAPTER XXXIII. THE CULT OF NORTHERN AS OPPOSED TO SOUTHERN STARS.
• CHAPTER XXXIV. THE ORIGIN OF EGYPTIAN ASTRONOMY—THE NORTHERN SCHOOLS.
• CHAPTER XXXV. THE ORIGIN OF EGYPTIAN ASTRONOMY (CONTINUED)—THE THEBES SCHOOL.
• CHAPTER XXXVI. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS AS TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH RACES.
• CHAPTER XXXVII. THE EGYPTIAN AND BABYLONIAN ECLIPTIC CONSTELLATIONS.
• CHAPTER XXXVIII. THE INFLUENCE OF EGYPT UPON TEMPLE-ORIENTATION IN GREECE.
• INDEX.