Aboriginal traditions describe the complex motions of planets, the 'wandering stars' of the sky

The five planets we can see by naked eye were known to the ancient Greeks as "asteres planetai", meaning "wandering stars", due to their wandering journey across the sky relative to the fixed stars. This is where we get the word "planet".

But knowledge of the planets and their movements goes back much further, being prominent in the traditions of the oldest continuing cultures in the world.

Recent research reveals a wealth of information about the planets and their complex motions in the Knowledge Systems of Indigenous Australians.

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Credit: ESA

Ecliptic path (red line) with the zodiac constellations in the background

Source / Image Courtesy

Scientists think they may have found the world's oldest astronomical map right here in Australia.

The sacred Aboriginal site is believed to have been made to map the position of the sun, moon and stars in the sky.

And studies suggest it might be old enough to predate some much more famous examples from overseas.

Ben Flick, an Aboriginal man from the Kamilaroi language group of north-western NSW, explains a creation story passed down to him regarding 'the emu in the sky''. Astronomy is used to identify the correct time of the year to collect emu eggs.

This documentary is one of nineteen that comprises the Through Our Eyes series features Aboriginal Elders and knowledge-holders from the Ngemba, Kamilaroi and Euahlayi language groups in north-western NSW (Brewarrina, Walgett and Lightning Ridge) describing the land management practices and social, spiritual and cultural knowledge that enabled their people to care for the country for tens of thousands of years.

This is amazing, I always loved reading up on the aboriginals
(especially their artwork, it's beautiful)

Dragon wrote:Astronomy is used to identify the correct time of the year to collect emu eggs.

That's great

I know you've taught us all the moon phases and what they signal for the native americans .. blood moon, strawberry moon, harvest moon. Thank you for all you've taught us , i always make note to share with Danny, nice for kids to learn these things and re-connect with nature and nature cycles

Especially today, everything is video games

Nice to sit outside at night and teach them about little things like this~ what nature has always told us, and how people coped before they had Siri on iphones lol

Thank you