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This research explores Neo-Babylonian astronomical diaries to understand their arithmetic approaches to astronomy.

July 21, 2026Open Access

Cuneiform Discovery: Neo-Babylonian astronomical diaries star positions — E8 Intelligence Research

Key Points

This research explores Neo-Babylonian astronomical diaries to understand their arithmetic approaches to astronomy.
Analyzed specific astronomical diaries from Neo-Babylonian sources.
Documented lunar and planetary observations recorded by ancient scribes.
Examined the fixed reference framework of normal stars for celestial tracking.
Scribes recorded lunar positions based on six distinct intervals with empirical accuracy.
Planetary phenomena included first/last appearances and stationary points logged against normal stars.
Periodicities of celestial bodies like Saturn, Jupiter, and Venus were effectively utilized for predictions.

Abstract

**Discovery: Neo-Babylonian Astronomical Diaries — Arithmetic Astronomy in the Sexagesimal Register** **1. Mathematical **BM 32313**, -568; **VAT 4956**, -567) record a strictly empirical, arithmetic astronomy. They do not model celestial mechanics geometrically. Instead, scribes tracked the **Moon's Six Intervals** (na₄-gi₁₁-na₄-gi₁₁): first/last visibility, first/last quarter, and full moon. Planetary phenomena (first/last appearance, stationary points) were logged against the **Normal Stars** (*mul mul-gar-ra*), a fixed reference frame of ~31 stars (e.g., *mulGIR.TAB* / β Virginis, *mulKAK.SI.SÁ* / α Virginis) defining the ecliptic path. The goal was prediction via **Goal-Year Texts** (e.g., **BM 34081**), exploiting periodicities (e.g., Saturn 59 yr, Jupiter 71 yr, Venus 8 yr). **2. Specific Numbers, Ratios, Calculations** Positions are quantified in **cubits (KÙŠ)** and **fingers (SU.SI)** r Author: Andrew Stewart Caldin, Independent Researcher, UK. Part of the E8 Intelligence Research series. Platform: e8intelligence.com

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