— archaeoastronomer , n. — archaeoastronomical /ahr'kee oh as'treuh nom"i keuhl/ , adj.
/ahr'kee oh euh stron"euh mee/ , n.
the branch of archaeology that deals with the apparent use by prehistoric civilizations of astronomical techniques to establish the seasons or the cycle of the year, esp. as evidenced in the construction of megaliths and other ritual structures.
Also, archeoastronomy . Also called astroarchaeology, megalithic astronomy .
[ 1970-75; ARCHAEO- + ASTRONOMY ]