ABSTRACT
This chapter describes how archaeologists wrestle with the toughest problem of all: reconstructing the intangible religious beliefs, ideologies, and social relationships of the past. The symbolism of death and burial is an important source of information on ancient religious beliefs as well as social ranking, most notably in the regalia and artifacts deposited with the deceased. The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth fecundity, childbearing, the planting and harvesting of grain lies at the heart of ancient thinking about Creation. In many farming societies, the Earth is considered female, the source of life and rich harvests. Strong ideologies drove all preindustrial civilizations. The Egyptian pharaohs were seen as living personifications of the Sun God Ra. The study of ancient astronomical knowledge using archaeological methods, is the study of ancient astronomical observances. The movements of the Sun and Moon and other heavenly bodies played an important role in an ancient societies, among them the Egyptian, Maya, and many Andean cultures.
