Robert Tarquinio

Bright Star Pictures LLC, CA, USA

Abstract

On the use of archeoastronometric chronometric chronometry to determine the beginning of the Sothic year.

The ancient Egyptians used astronomy to establish and maintain an astronomical calendar based on the heliacal rising of the star Sirius. The heliacal rising of Sirius can be seen prior to sunrise for the first time each year. It remains visible only a short time before the sky grows too bright to see it. This annual reappearance of Sirius fell close to the summer solstice and coincided with the time of the Nile’s inundation (Krupp 1994:21).  Every 1461 years the astronomical and civil years would again coincide with the heliacal rising of Sirius near the summer solstice. Such a year is called a Sothic (Sopdetic) Year.  Using Starry Night Pro Plus (ver. 6.3.6) astronomical software (Simulation Curriculum Corp. 2009), I  generated the chart of the night sky during 1544 BCE  Archaeoastronometric Chronometry (Tarquinio 1999) was applied to determine the beginning reign of Pharaoh Djeserkare Amenhotep (Amenophis) I based on the Sothic Year 1544 B.C., which occurred in the 9th year of his reign.  The results show that Pharaoh Djeserkare Amenhotep (Amenophis) I began his reign in 1553 B.C.

Biographical Details

Robert Tarquinio lives in Santa Monica, California, USA.  He is married to Nataliya V. Sotula. He coined the term Archaeoastronometric Chronometry in 1999. He received a PhD in Environmental Science (emphasis on Egyptian Archaeoastronomy) in 2002  from LaSalle University, Mandavile, LA. He received an MS in Space Studies (emphasis in Babylonian Archaeoastronomy) in 1996 from UND, Grand Forks, ND; a BS in Anthropology/Geography in 1989 from Cal Poly Pomona, CA, and a Certificate in Archaeology in 1986  from UCLA Extension and Institute of Archaeology, Los Angeles, CA. He is a life member of North Dakota Academy of Science..