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[35.07] Satellite Imagery Measures of the Astronomically Aligned Megaliths at Nabta Playa

T.G. Brophy (EMCS Consulting), P.A. Rosen (California Institute of Technology)

Astronomically aligned megalithic structures described in field reports (Wendorf, F. and Malville, J.M., The Megalith Alignments, pp.489-502 in Holocene Settlement of the Egyptian Sahara, Vol.I, 2001.) are identified in newly acquired georectified 60 cm panchromatic satellite imagery of Nabta Playa, southern Egypt.

The satellite images allow refinement, often significant, of the reported locations of the megaliths. The report that the primary megalithic alignment was constructed to point to the bright star Sirius, circa 4,820 BC, is reconsidered in light of the satellite data, new field data, radiocarbon, lithostratigraphic and geochronologic data, and the playa sedimentation history. Other possible archaeoastronomical interpretations are considered for that alignment, including the three stars of Orion’s Belt circa 6,270 BC that are also implicated in the small Nabta Playa “calendar circle”. Other new features apparent in the satellite imagery are also considered.

The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: tgbrophy@earthlink.net

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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 35 #5
© 2003. The American Astronomical Soceity.