Archaeoastronomy

Politecnico di Milano connects the sky with architecture and archaeology. Naked-eye astronomy and digital planetariums introduce the tools before case studies in Egypt, the Americas, Asia and classical Europe. The course suits learners interested in how astronomical observations, symbolism and power may have influenced the design of ancient places.

What you will learn

• Explore apparent motions in the night sky.
• Use basic tools to investigate alignments.
• Compare archaeological and astronomical interpretations.

Who this suits

Beginners interested in archaeology, architecture or astronomy; the provider recommends no prior background.

Before you enroll

Compare an explanation with the observations supporting it and keep established findings separate from hypotheses. Research develops after a course is recorded, so check dates when following links to missions or discoveries. Workload is a provider estimate; calculations and software setup may require additional time.

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Put it into practice

Investigate one monument using a plan and a digital sky model. Record the observation date, location and alternative explanations before proposing an astronomical interpretation.

Source and review

This overview is based on the provider's published information, checked on 12 October 2026. It is an editorial assessment, not a claim that we completed the resource. Time filters are approximate study ranges; projects and exercises can take longer.

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