ESHS/HSS Annual Meeting

Representing the Sky from the Earth and Vice Versa: Gnomonic, Archeoastronomy, Cartography and Geometry

Session Submission Type: Organized Session

English Abstract

The session examines the historical relationships between the representation of the sky and the Earth, and vice versa, with particular attention to the geometric foundations that historically guided the measurement of space and time through the geometric relationships between celestial bodies and the places and forms of the Earth’s surface. Contributions on gnomonics and archaeoastronomy, terrestrial and astronomical geography, instruments for measuring space and time, and cartography will be considered. A central element is the role of geometric projections, developed to represent the position of the Sun and the stars, and later applied to the construction of terrestrial maps in major geographical campaigns.
The session welcomes studies on instruments and methods for determining time, latitude, and orientation, on the projection techniques employed in maps and globes, and on their evolution. The comparison with current digital methodologies — from GIS cartography, including 3D modeling of the territory and the built environment, to satellite data processing — makes it possible to discuss continuities and transformations in the processes of spatial modeling and representation. Technical, historical, or methodological contributions are equally relevant.

Sub Unit

• Organized Session

Chair

• Ivana Gambaro, University of Genoa, SISFA, Cassini 400 Committee

Individual Presentations

• Cultural Anthropology and the geometry of gnomonic projections from ancient times to present days - Alessandra Pagliano, University Federico II of Naples

• Narrating the Invisible. Transmedia Strategies for the Dissemination of Astronomical Heritage: The Case of the Rizzoli Institute Meridian Line - Manuela Incerti, University of Ferrara; Paolo Lenisa, University of Ferrara

• From Documental Sources to Artefacts. Experiences for the Cultural Accessibility of the Sundial of Palazzo Spada - Laura Farroni, Università degli Studi Roma Tre; Matteo Flavio Mancini, University of Roma Tre.

• The Evolution of Cartography between new technologies and societal impacts: from classical geodesy to Smart City planning - Antonio Acierno, University Federico II of Naples

Session Organizers

• Alessandra Pagliano, University Federico II of Naples

• Manuela Incerti, University of Ferrara

• Laura Farroni, Università degli Studi Roma Tre