11. "Sun Marker": A Laboratory for Experiential Cultural Astronomy
From the Ground to the Sky - Ten Years of Skyscape Archaeology - Fabio Silva
Angela M Richman [+]
National Park Service
Communication Specialist,
Climate Change Response Program
Von Del Chamberlain
Utah Valley University
Joe Pachak
Archaeological Consultant
Description
A modern sculpture in Utah that reflects the connection between landscape and skyscape is described by Angela M. Richman, Von Del Chamberlain and Joe Pachak. Artist Joe Pachak studied the Ancestral Puebloan culture and traditions relating to the movements of the Sun, Moon and stars to create the sculpture called Sun Marker to demonstrate light and shadow effects on recreated rock art images at the equinoxes and solstices. Their chapter tells the story of this sculpture and how it has helped formulate vital research questions for cultural astronomers.