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Diné (Navajo) Ethno- and Archaeoastronomy

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Handbook of Archaeoastronomy and Ethnoastronomy

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Abstract

The Navajo (Diné) are an Athabascan-speaking people who migrated from the far northwest of America into the desert southwest where they became the largest surviving Native American culture. Three words portray Diné philosophy – beauty, harmony, and balance. Their traditions are rich with astronomical symbolism found in literature, ceremony, iconography, artifacts, rock art, and the sacred landscape. This chapter summarizes Diné astronomical traditions, identification of stars known to be important to the Diné, and how these are depicted on artifacts and rock art.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1021 Country Club Dr., Kanab, UT, 84741, USA

    Von Del Chamberlain

Authors
  1. Von Del Chamberlain
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Correspondence to Von Del Chamberlain .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Archaeology & Ancient History, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom

    Clive L.N. Ruggles

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Chamberlain, V.D. (2015). Diné (Navajo) Ethno- and Archaeoastronomy. In: Ruggles, C. (eds) Handbook of Archaeoastronomy and Ethnoastronomy. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6141-8_44

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