The Houston Solar Marker Matrix of Intentionality

Gordon Houston

doi:10.24215/26840162e013

Authors

Gordon Houston Independent Scholar, Estados Unidos

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24215/26840162e013

Keywords:

rock art, solar markers, horizon astronomy, Sun watching, solar points

Abstract

Rock art is ubiquitous around the world. The first solar interaction with rock art was in 1979 by Ken Hedges (Hudson, et al. 1979). Solar Markers are the most objective interpretations of rock art for the following reasons: 1) We can see the sky the same as the ancient cultures, 2) Precession does not affect the travel of the Sun along the horizon, 3) The operation of solar marker interactions operate the same today as when originally created, and 4) The recorded astronomical knowledge is usually the most closely guarded information, which the solar marker opens that knowledge to us today.

The interplay of sun and shadow on rock art, known as “solar markers” are reported in very few areas of the world, with most being reported in the American Southwest. The lack of reports worldwide is due in part to a lack of understanding and how to identify these solar markers. To that end, the Houston Solar Marker Matrix of Intentionality (HSMMI) is offered as a tool for researchers to: 1) Help identify new solar markers, 2) Confirm existing solar markers, 3) Rule out coincidental interactions, and 4) lead to a worldwide database of solar markers.

. There are four qualifying restrictions that must be met by any reported interaction, before proceeding to evaluate an interaction using the HSMMI. The restrictions are: 1) The solar interaction must touch and interact with the glyph, 2) The interaction must be brief, typically less than 30 minutes, 3) The culmination of the interaction must be unique, both in the design of the sun or shadow shape, and must interact with the focal point or tangent of the glyph, or some very unique part of the glyph, and 4) The solar interaction must interact with one glyph at a time. These are established to help rule out coincidental interactions and help eliminate false positives.

The Houston Solar Marker Matrix of Intentionality provides and analytical tool in which four categories are scored. The final score determines the strength of an existing or reported solar marker or identification of a new solar marker. The four categories are 1) Solar Points, 2) Time of Day, 2) Interactive Characteristics, and 4) Supporting evidence. The HSMMI is a tool that will be employed by researchers, who in turn, will bring forward new reports worldwide, so a database can be established. The HSMMI is a tool in constant transition and updating, of which, many changes have already been incorporated to date. It is hoped that false positives will be eliminated through the use of the HSMMI.

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References

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