Gerald Stanley Hawkins ( 1928-2003 ) is a British astronomer , widely known for his research in the field of archaeoastronomy .
| Gerald Hawkins | |
|---|---|
| Gerald stanley hawkins | |
| Date of Birth | April 20, 1928 |
| Place of Birth | Great Yarmouth , Norfolk |
| Date of death | May 26, 2003 (aged 75) |
| Place of death | Woodville , Virginia |
| A country | |
| Scientific field | Archeoastronomy |
| Place of work | Boston University |
| Alma mater | University of Manchester |
| Academic degree | ( 1952 ) |
| supervisor | |
Born in Great Yarmouth , studied physics and mathematics at the University of Nottingham . In 1952 he received his Ph.D. in radio astronomy , studying at the University of Manchester with Sir Bernard Lavell .
Since 1957, professor of astronomy and chairman of the department at Boston University ( USA ). The author of works on various topics, including those on tektites , meteorites , the theory of the stationary Universe .
Hawkins studied the possible use of ancient megalithic structures as astronomical instruments. He introduced into the university computer ( IBM 7090 ) the coordinates of the plates and other parameters of Stonehenge , as well as the model of motion of the Sun and Moon. In his book, Decoded Stonehenge ( Stonehenge Decoded , 1965), Hawkins provides evidence that the properties of Stonehenge made it possible to predict various astronomical phenomena, and the complex itself was thus an ancient observatory, as well as a calendar and a computer.
This theory runs counter to the traditional concept of Stonehenge as a primitive sanctuary. The archaeological community was skeptical of this and other theories of Hawkins. In particular, the famous historian Richard Atkinson spoke of the book Decrypted Stonehenge as "tendentious, arrogant, carelessly written and unconvincing." However, the book sold well and became very popular in the 1960s on the wave of enthusiasm from the emerging prospects for the development of computer technology. Adherents of the so-called “countable culture” saw Hawkins in a study of evidence of ideas about the “wisdom of the ancients” expressed by Alexander Tom and other pseudo-metrologists.
Hawkins' theories, especially those relating to Stonehenge, are still very popular, although archaeologists are in no hurry to accept them.
Later, Hawkins explored the Nazca Plateau in Peru and the Temple of Amon in Karnak , then returned to the study of Stonehenge and continued it until the end of his life.
The works of Gerald Hawkins were published in Russian, both in the Soviet Union and after its collapse.
Publications
- In Russian
- Hawkins, J. Except Stonehenge. - M .: Mir, 1977 .-- 268 p.
- Hawkins, J., White. J. The Secret of Stonehenge = Stonehenge decoded. - M .: Mir, 1984. - 256 p.
- Hawkins, J., White. J. The Secret of Stonehenge = Stonehenge decoded. - M .: Veche, 2004 .-- 352 p. - ISBN 5-9533-0363-7 .
- Hawkins, J. Decrypted Stonehenge. Stone Age Observatory = Stonehenge decoded. - M .: Centerpolygraph, 2006 .-- 272 p. - ISBN 5-9524-2255-1 .
- Hawkins, J. From Stonehenge to the Incas = Beyond Stonehenge. - M .: Veche, 2004 .-- 384 p. - ISBN 5-9533-0227-4 .
- Zlobin A.E., article on the continuation of the research of J. Hawkins in the journal "Science and We", 1990, Publishing House of the Central Committee of the Latvian Communities, pages 20-21, ISSN 0236-2767