What did the Babylonians develop sophisticated methods for tracking, largely in service to divination?
Answer
Planetary movements.
The Babylonians were renowned for their highly sophisticated observational practices concerning the celestial sphere, contrasting with other traditions. They created detailed star catalogues and recorded celestial events with surprising accuracy. This extensive effort was primarily dedicated to tracking the movements of the planets. Crucially, this advanced observation was largely undertaken not just for calendrical purposes, but specifically in service to the practice of astrology and divination, seeking meaning or future events within the observed planetary shifts.
Related Questions
What was the immediate necessity driving the ancient study of the sky?What agricultural event did the heliacal rising often signal for ancient Egyptians?What concept did Claudius Ptolemy's model firmly establish as the universe's center?What was the primary focus of the Chinese tradition concerning celestial disturbances?What physical remains are compelling evidence studied in Archaeoastronomy?Which concept did early Greek thinkers use to move beyond strictly narrative accounts of the cosmos?What did the Babylonians develop sophisticated methods for tracking, largely in service to divination?Why do modern researchers adjust ancient alignments for precession?Besides creating intricate calendars, what advanced mathematical demonstration did the Maya perform?What was one ancient belief regarding the physical nature of stars affixed to the firmament?How did sailors utilize constellations and bright stars for navigation?