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A review by pageglue
The First Astronomers: How Indigenous Elders Read the Stars by Elders and Knowledge Holders, Duane Hamacher
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
The First Astronomers is basically as advertised: the history of indigenous astronomy. The science writing is very accessible and interesting, and it was fascinating to learn how scientific knowledge was passed down through oral tradition in the form of myths and dances.
A key difference between Western and Indigenous astronomy is that we think of astronomy as being an “out there” thing, out in the cold distance of space, a distinct and seperate scientific discipline. But indigenous thinking is far more interdisciplinary and closer to home, the most practical of which being navigation and weather prediction. And some rock art, myths, and dances even record astronomical events from hundreds of years ago that can be corroborated by written sources in Europe and Asia. What’s really cool is how present day astronomers are looking to oral histories and written ancient histories to form innovative theories about astronomy.
Although advertised as being knowledge from indigenous elders all over the world, the great majority of the content comes from Australia’s Torres Straight Islands, then some from Australia more broadly, a little from North America, and barely anything from anywhere else. Still, I’d recommend this for anyone who looks up at the night sky in wonder and awe.
A key difference between Western and Indigenous astronomy is that we think of astronomy as being an “out there” thing, out in the cold distance of space, a distinct and seperate scientific discipline. But indigenous thinking is far more interdisciplinary and closer to home, the most practical of which being navigation and weather prediction. And some rock art, myths, and dances even record astronomical events from hundreds of years ago that can be corroborated by written sources in Europe and Asia. What’s really cool is how present day astronomers are looking to oral histories and written ancient histories to form innovative theories about astronomy.
Although advertised as being knowledge from indigenous elders all over the world, the great majority of the content comes from Australia’s Torres Straight Islands, then some from Australia more broadly, a little from North America, and barely anything from anywhere else. Still, I’d recommend this for anyone who looks up at the night sky in wonder and awe.