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Stonehenge (England)(2900BC)
The horseshoe shape of Stonehenge is oriented so that on the Summer Solstice
the sun rose directly over the Heel Stone and the first rays shone into
the centre of the monument. In recent history it was first generally concluded
that Stonehenge was constructed as a temple to the sun. More recently,
though, it has been argued by astronomers that Stonehenge is not merely
aligned with solar and lunar astronomical events, but can be used to predict
other events such as eclipses. In other words, Stonehenge was more than
a temple, it was an astronomical calculator.
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Peruvian Terraces
Since ancient times, Inca farmers have built terraces to shore up a hillside,
creating several levels of farms. In a small, seemingly inhospitable place,
they can grow the crops they need to grow to survive. The Andean terraces
(“steps”) were built on retaining walls made of rock and trees.
They were filled with fertile soil and watered via a complex irrigation
system, and offered up more than 250 different types of vegetables and
cereals, such as potatoes, corn, quinoa and kiwicha. Recent studies have
shown that we can learn much from ancient agricultural practices that
were small in scale, organic, sustainable and in more in harmony with
the rhythms of sun, earth and moon.
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César E. Chávez, Labor leader and environmentalist
March 31, 1927 to April 23, 1993
We are honoring César Estrada Chávez within an ancient architectural
form, a solar calendar. It represents an appropriate tribute to farm workers
who have always lived by understanding the cycle of the seasons. Four
key virtues of Chavez will be honored - hope, determination, courage,
and tolerance/non-violence, each placed in one of the four cardinal directions
of the memorial site.
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Earth from Space
This photograph serves as a reminder that we live on a ball hurling through
space at 66,000 miles per hour. It captures some of the awe and wonder
that we want to be integral to the solar calendar educational experience.
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Tory Brady, Exploratorium Teacher Institute
Tory is an educational designer and teacher trainer at the Exploratorim
Teacher Institute. Here she is teaching a brief workshop at César
Chávez Park. Tory also leads the Summer Solstice Seasonal Gathering
held each year at the Interim Solar Calendar site.
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Sun Dagger, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico (1000AD)
A celestial calendar of the ancient Pueblo Indians. The calendar marks,
with precise light patterns, the summer and winter solstices, the spring
and fall equinoxes, and the 18.5 year cycle of the moon.
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