Hello,

         My name is Mitesh Patel and I am currently completing a work placement as part of my FdSc course. This is the first time I have been introduced into the world of  Archaeo-Astronomy. Little did I know I would be delving into a world where what would appear to some, as a piece of art, can actually be considered by others as a monument that was used for calculations we still consider to be complicated in the modern world.

My first dip into Archaeo-Astronomy consisted of light research into Stonehenge. I learned how it is believed that completion of Stonehenge occured approximately 3500 years ago through 4 stages that consisted of bringing stones from the Preseli mountains of South Wales and Malborough Downs in North Wilthsire. It was further into my research that I understood that Stonehenge was a very religious monument and the surroundings provided graves for people who were deemed to be of importance and high value. However when looking at the arrangmenet closely we can see that during the summer solstice the sun rises between the Heel stones and the light lands on the Altar stone. Stonehenge, still to this day, remains to be a mystery.

Throughout my project I will be working with a software piece called Stellarium. This software enables us to simulate the rising and setting of stars and planets in different landscapes. The final target is to create a functional 3D environment that can be placed into Stellarium. My progress will be posted into these WIKI pages.

• Archaeo-Astronomy and landscapes

• Impression of a fieldtrip 

• Ancient monuments within their landscapes (Who uses them)

• Imaging landscapes

• Stellarium