Scientists discover 500 BC sky map (in India)

Scientists discover 500 BC sky map

P Revathi
CNN-IBN
Posted Tuesday , April 25, 2006 at 21:38

Hyderabad: When the carving of the Great Bear constellation on a stone, made around 500 BC at Mudumala village in Mahbubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh were discovered, scientists were suitably astounded.

They began to wonder how ancient Indian astrologers could tell exactly how stars and constellations were grouped without the help of modern devices such as the telescope.

The mystery was unravelled when scientists discovered an ancient sky map in Hyderabad.

The sky map, which is probably the oldest in Asia, was carved out by megalithic Indians with astounding accuracy.

The map represents the seven stars also known as the saptarishi mandal, which have for ages been used to pinpoint the North (for the Pole star, located above the North Pole lies opposite the Ursa Major or the Great Bear).

According to Reader, Department of History, Central University Hyderabad, Dr K P Rao, "The discovery of the sky map indicates that from olden days itself the Indians had adequate knowledge of Astronomical science. In fact they used this knowledge to construct monuments based on the directions denoted by stars and constellations."

According to Historians, this is the only sky map to be unearthed in India, probably even South Asia.

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/scientists-discover-500-bc-sky-map/8785-11.html

This one is my favorite ancient map story: The Piri Reis Map

expand their minds. i love 'em all!