This workshop brings together specialists from across the Mesopotamian astral sciences.The aim is to deepen our understanding of the concepts, theories, procedures and practices in the various branches of Mesopotamian astral science, their genesis and change over time, and to explore more thoroughly the connections between astronomy, celestial divination, astrology and other areas of Mesopotamian science.

Program

14.5.2014
09:15 - 09:30
Welcome
09:30 - 10:30
The Mesopotamian Uranology Texts
Wayne Horowitz
10:30 - 10:45
Break
10:45 - 11:45
A Tale of Two Texts: The 6th Tablets of the Series Šumma Sîn ina Tāmartišu
Zack Wainer
11:45 - 12:45
Two Unique Tablets from the BM's "Babylon Collection"
Jeanette C. Fincke
12:45 - 14:00
Lunch
14:00 - 15:00
Form and Structure in the Micro-Zodiac: Re-assembling the Pieces
Willis Monroe
15:00 - 16:00
The "Stone, Plant and Wood"-System in Late Babylonian Astrological Medicine
Marvin Schreiber
16:00 - 16:15
Break
16:15 - 17:15
The Expression of Mesopotamian Celestial Omen Concepts in Late Antiquity
Zoe Misiewicz
17:15 - 18:00
Open Discussion: Star Lists, Celestial Divination and Astrology
19:00 - 21:00
Conference Dinner
15.5.2014
09:30 - 10:30
Almanacs and Normal-Star Almanacs
Hermann Hunger
10:30 - 10:45
Break
10:45 - 11:45
Stylistic Development of the Astronomical Diaries from Babylonia
Yasuyuki Mitsuma
11:45 - 12:45
Observational Texts
Norbert Roughton
12:45 - 14:00
Lunch
14:00 - 15:00
Winds, Clouds and River Levels
Rita Gautschy
15:00 - 16:00
Applied Babylonian Coordinate System in the Astronomical Diaries
Gerd Graßhoff
16:00 - 16:15
Break
16:15 - 17:15
Month Lengths
Peter Huber
17:15 - 18:00
Open Discussion: Astronomical Observation, Diaries and Related Texts
16.5.2014
09:30 - 10:30
The Lunar 4 in Connection with Concepts and Methods in Early Babylonian Astronomy
Lis Brack-Bernsen
10:30 - 10:45
Break
10:45 - 11:45
On the Early Development of Babylonian Lunar Theory
Teije de Jong
11:45 - 12:45
Astronomical Elements on Late Babylonian Seals
Christopher Walker
12:45 - 14:00
Lunch
14:00 - 15:00
Greek Knowledge of Babylonian Period Relations: an Update
Alexander Jones
15:00 - 16:00
Neither ACT nor Goal-Year Astronomy: Other Traditions of (Predictive or Theoretical?) Astronomy in the Late Babylonian Period
John Steele
16:00 - 16:15
Break
16:15 - 17:15
Some New Results on the Babylonian Lunar Tables
Mathieu Ossendrijver
17:15 - 18:00
Open Discussion: Predictive Methods, Theoretical Astronomy