Living the Sky: The Cosmos of the American Indian

by Ray A. Williamson

Imagine the North American Indians as astronomers carefully watching the heavens, charting the sun through the seasons, or counting the sunrises between successive lumar phases. Then imagine them establishing observational sites and codified systems to pass their knowledge down through the centuries and continually refine it. A few years ago such images would have been abruptly dismissed. Today we are wiser. Living the Sky describes the exciting archaeoastronomical discoveries in the United States in recent decades. Using history, science, and direct observation, Ray A. Williamson transports the reader into the sky world of the Indians. We visit the Bighorn Medicine Wheel, sit with a Zuni sun priest on the winter solstice, join explorers at the rites of the Hopis and the Navajos, and trek to Chaco Canyon to make direct on-site observations of celestial events.

Genres: Nonfiction, Indigenous, Science, History, Astronomy

366 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1984

Reviews

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is written by Ray Williamson, who is an astronomer rather than an aboriginal history person, and published by the University of Oklahoma. Writing began in 1972 and the first edition was in 1984 so the language isn't what we would us today. It is detailed and in places mathematical. It is strongest in dealing with the Navajo, Hopi and other Southern US groups; treatment of East Coast and Canadian peoples is thin. If you are at Mesa Verde or Grand Canyon, you look at the sky and want to know more, you will need this book, but it needs expansion and revision.

[Courtney Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had this book for a long time, but I keep pulling it off the shelf and re-reading sections of it. I love archaeoastronomy and this book provides the most comprehensive collection of history and information on the main sites. I like the way Williamson not only gives insight on the customs, culture, and significance but the story behind the re-discovery of these creative and profound places, beliefs, and rituals.

[Bob Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archaeoastronomy 101

I have this strong feeling that most of you punters have not read a book on archaeoastronomy. Neither had I till I picked up this book. Well, I suppose such books are not exactly a dime a dozen. Somehow, I managed to get through high school, university and graduate school without ever hearing of the field. Maybe that’s because it wasn’t yet regarded as a “field”. But that’s in the past. If you were ever curious about what Native Americans knew about the stars, the planets, the moon and sun, this is your book, very well written and clearly explained. Williamson concentrates solely on the knowledge of the peoples of the continental USA, starting with the Southwestern peoples, devoting nearly eight out of the thirteen chapters to them. It turns out that not only did these people have considerable knowledge linking the sky phenomena to practical actions during the year, but they also built certain structures observing moon or sun positions at particular times of the year—like other peoples in Europe and Asia. The author also writes about the astronomical knowledge of the peoples of the Plains, the East and Southeast, and those of California. Despite lack of written language, metal, and thus, telescopes, they had amassed quite a stock of information. Nearly all the American peoples had a celestial calendar. Their myths and traditions often included the astronomical knowledge they had. You will find a number of illustrative photos, drawings and charts. Great.

A second problem covered in the book is “how do we know what that knowledge was?” In some cases, it was handed down till today, but in many other cases, because it was lost, it took painstaking research by archaeologists to realize what the ancients knew. The early European arrivals and later pioneers and land-seekers had a strong tendency to debunk any knowledge held by the Native Americans. It was only recently that scientists—of whom Prof. Williamson seems to be among the foremost—paid attention to that body of knowledge. That’s probably why I had never heard of the entire field.
But if I may use an unlikely analogy, this book reminded me of fried clams and beer. They go together so well. However, if you dislike one or the other, or at least have some grave doubts as to whether you can swallow the combination, you understand what I am talking about. Maybe Native Americans are a favorite topic of yours. Or, maybe it’s astronomy. If it’s not both, some sections of the book are going to be tough going. As for me, the history and culture of Native Americans are some of my favorite reading material. Astronomy—hmm, not really. I give this book five stars because it’s written as well as possible for someone like me, but I confess that some of the “astronomy” pages left me gaping. For anyone who likes both the fried clams and the beer, be sure not to miss “Living the Sky”.

[The Overflowing Inkwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so good. **Loved** reading this book. Whoever read this book before me, however, did not love it -- my copy was full of snarky notes and a warning on the title page that the book is old and shouldn't be trusted, haha. There were a surprising number of overlaps between Native American cultures and those of northern Europe that I saw, as I happened to read this book at the same time as some of Claude Lecouteux's works, which made this even more fascinating than it already was! Archaeoastronomy is just -- a top tier field. Never get enough of it.

[Andrew Volpe]

"Archaeoastronomy" Session course, Westfield State College, 2000