This project proposes a new approach to the studies of cultural astronomy (archaeoastronomy and ethnoastronomy) from a novel perspective, this time being the first occasion since this line of research began in Spain in which two institutions of recognized prestige and which are worldwide leaders in the field, the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC) and the Institute of Heritage Sciences (Incipit-CSIC) , will formalize their synergies into a coordinated project. In accordance with the above, the work to be carried out within the framework of the project focuses on several lines of research, most of them already opened by our multidisciplinary group and another novel one that we want to enhance (for which the support of a postdoctoral contract is required):
1) ASTRONOMY OF THE ANCIENT CULTURES OF THE MIDDLE EAST. In previous years, within the framework of earlier versions of the project "Orientatio ad Sidera", we have focused on conducting studies on various aspects of these cultures related to the observation of the sky. We hope to extend this labour in this project, making use of most of our previous experience as a source of new studies and practical applications.
2) ASTRONOMICAL TRADITIONS ON SAINT JAMES WAY. On this occasion, we hope to round off the task begun under the OAS IV Project on the relationships between astronomy and culture along the Jacobean Route, from Galicia to the Pyrenees and beyond.
3) ARCHEOASTRONOMICAL STUDY OF THE CLASSIC WORLD. Since the beginning of this decade, several studies has been carried out on Roman urbanism in the West of the Roman Empire, with special impact on Hispania, and how this was framed in the celestial and terrestrial landscapes, anthropoized or not. In this new framework, we hope to extend these studies to the East of the Empire. Similarly, it is expected to initiate a similar approaching in the Helenic world.
4) LAND- AND SKYSCAPES OF MEGALITHISM. Studies on the astronomy of the megalithic phenomenon framed in landscape archaeology studies. This is a controversial and open line in which our contribution has been substantial. We propose an extension of the field of action and the analysis of particular elements already worked that can lead to new interpretations.
5) ASTRONOMY AND WORLD HERITAGE. In recent years our team has been involved in identifying and promoting places of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) to be promoted within the framework of the Astronomy and World Heritage initiative of UNESCO and IAU. This work involves a great research task to demonstrate the site OUV and compare it with other places of similar characteristics.
6) ARCHAEOASTRONOMY FROM SPACE. The Covid-19 pandemic closed, among many other things, the chances of fieldwork, very important in our discipline. Therefore, it has been decided to promote a new line of research focused on the analysis of monuments, or series of monuments, and their geographical spaces, through high spatial resolution images where Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Machine Learning techniques could be applied. This will allow a systematic study of orientation patterns and how they relate to the landscape. Planned work will begin with prehistoric tombs in Somaliland and Saudi Arabia.
