One of the earliest forms of science was the prediction of the coming of the seasons by star watchers. These early astrologists told stories to teach others important life lessons during communal nights.

The study of these ancient stories, referred to as archeoastronomy, gives us a look into the myths, legends and religious beliefs of now-ancient cultures. Not only does archeoastronomy give us a window into cultural beliefs, the development of science itself can be tracked through this universal human fascination with the night sky. From those early star watchers to nighttime sea navigation with astrolabes (a sailor’s navigational tool) to the Space Race, the human fascination with the night sky has been a driving force and a source of inspiration throughout the ages.

For cultures in the Northern Hemisphere, some of the richest archeoastronomy is centered on the winter solstice (the longest night of the year), which foretells the coming of the coldest nights of the year. Our modern winter holidays fall near the winter solstice because of the long tradition of solstice holidays throughout history.

For those living in or near cities, many of the old star groupings may be hard to see. One common asterism ~ or group of stars ~ visible to most throughout the Northeast is the Big Dipper. The Big Dipper is a grouping of stars that is a part of the modern constellation Ursa Major (Great Bear). If you are not familiar with the Big Dipper, you only have to look at an image of the state flag of Alaska. The dipper is the seven stars in the shape of a ladle on the flag. The two stars on the end of the “spoon” are known as the pointer stars. Draw an imaginary line through these pointer stars and follow that line to a star that appears all alone in the night sky. That’s Polaris, better known as the North Star.

Polaris is the 45th brightest star in the night sky. While the North Star is not the brightest in the night sky (that distinction goes to Sirius, the Dog Star), the North Star is steady and seemingly unmoving. This star is always due north. In fact, people have used the star as a nighttime navigation aid for at least as long as we have had written language.

One story surrounding the North Star is also woven into the history of America ~ the story of the Drinking Gourd. People trapped in American slavery in the 19th century would escape by following the Underground Railroad to the free states in the north. Slaves would teach each other a song about the Drinking Dourd (the Big Dipper) to guide them along the railroad. The song closes like this:

I thought I heard the angels say,

‘Follow the Drinking Gourd.’

The stars in the heavens

Gonna show you the way.

Follow the Drinking Gourd.

By R.J. Linton