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A systematics for interpreting past structures with possible cosmic references in Sub-Saharan Africa

This thesis presents a method of identifying astronomical expressionsinherent within the spatial geography, cultural landscapes, and layouts of structures with a view to implementing the systematics in an African context. In determining astronomical codes of the southern African pre - early farmer and metalworking archaeological sites - this review deals with oral tradition, rituals, formative calendars, fertility, meteorites, eclipses, bio-diversity, sustainable agriculture, rainmaking and the general star lore. Conclusions are drawn from the hypothesis that certain structures functioned as astronomical expressions by use of monoliths and other configurations, with specific examples of how these possibilities were drawn from aspects within the Mapungubwe/Zimbabwe Cultural Complex and the preceding riverine cultural formations. / Dissertation (MSc(Applied Science))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Architecture / unrestricted

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:up/oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/24351
Date05 May 2009
CreatorsWade, Richard Peter
ContributorsFisher, Roger C., Theron, G., richwde@iafrica.com
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeDissertation
Rights©University of Pretoria 2009

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