The Path of the Sun: Solstices and Zenith Transits –Ancient Civilizations Taming the Sky
The Sun as Mankind’s First Clock and Compass Long before GPS technology or even digital calendars existed, ancient civilizations had relied on the Sun’s inevitable course through the sky to bisect time, traverse lands, and sway their cultic structures. Not only astronomic occurrences, yet pillars of their cultures as well, two most convincing solar happenings were the solstices and the transits of zenith . From Egypt's great pyramids to the Maya's meticulously built temples, the Sun's path was not only an astronomical event—it was a message from the gods, a seasonal announcement, and an architectural blueprint. Let us learn how ancient civilizations interpreted the Sun's movement and why these celestial mechanics still enthrall us today. The Solstices: When the Sun Stands Still The word solstice is taken from the Latin word solstitium , which tr...