Abstract
The development of the 48 Greek constellations is analyzed as a complex mixture of cognitive layers deriving from different cultural traditions and dating back to different epochs. The analysis begins with a discussion of the zodiacal constellations, goes on to discuss thestellar lore in Homer and Hesiod, and then examines several theories concerning the origins ofthe southern non-zodiacal constellations. It concludes with a commentary concerning the age and possible cultural significance of stars of the Great Bear constellation in light of ethnohistorical documentation, folklore, and beliefs related to European bear ceremonialism.
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CITATION STYLE
Frank, R. M. (2015). Origins of the “western” constellations. In Handbook of Archaeoastronomy and Ethnoastronomy (pp. 147–164). Springer New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6141-8_11
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