What role do stone carvings play in ancient astronomical traditions?

Stone carvings have played a pivotal role in ancient astronomical traditions, serving as both practical tools and cultural artifacts. These intricate carvings, often found on monuments, temples, and cave walls, were used to document celestial events such as solstices, equinoxes, and planetary movements. By studying these carvings, historians and archaeologists have uncovered how ancient civilizations like the Maya, Egyptians, and Chinese tracked time, predicted seasons, and worshipped celestial deities. Beyond their scientific utility, stone carvings also held spiritual significance, bridging the gap between the earthly and the divine. Today, they remain invaluable for understanding the intersection of astronomy, art, and culture in antiquity.