Anthony Aveni


Anthony Francis Aveni is an American academic anthropologist, astronomer, and author, noted in particular for his extensive publications and contributions to the fields of archaeoastronomy and cultural astronomy. He is Russell Colgate Distinguished University Professor of Astronomy and Anthropology and Native American Studies, Emeritus at Colgate University, and he is the author of more than 34 books and 300 research publications that include three cover articles in Science magazine.

Education

Aveni earned his Bachelor of Arts from Boston University in 1960 and a PhD from the University of Arizona in 1965.

Career

Aveni began teaching at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York in 1963. He founded the university's astronomy program, and he rose to the named chair of Russell Colgate Distinguished University Professor of Astronomy and Anthropology and Native American Studies before retiring emeritus.
Aveni is recognized for his influence on the development of archaeoastronomy and cultural astronomy as disciplines in the latter 20th century. He has specialized in the study of ancient astronomical practices in the Americas, and pioneered research into the historical astronomy of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures.
Aveni has authored more than 34 books and 300 research publications, including three cover articles in Science and works in American Scientist, American Antiquity, Latin American Antiquity, The Sciences, Advances in Archaeological Method and Theory, and Journal of Archaeological Research. Two of his short pieces were selected as "notable essays" in the volumes The ''Best American Essays 2002 and Best American Science Writing 2002''. He has been awarded research grants by the National Geographic Society, the National Science Foundation and various private foundations for work in both American continents as well as in Europe and the Middle East.

Personal life

Aveni lives in Hamilton, New York, with his wife Lorraine, an artist.

Selected publications

Articles

  • Cover.
  • Cover.

  • Books

  • Skywatchers of Ancient Mexico
  • World Archaeoastronomy
  • Empires of Time
  • The Lines of Nazca
  • Ancient Astronomers
  • Conversing With the Planets
  • Behind the Crystal Ball
  • Stairways to the Stars
  • Skywatchers : A Revised and Updated Version of Skywatchers of Ancient Mexico
  • The Book of the Year: A Brief History of Our Seasonal Holidays
  • The Madrid Codex: New Approaches to Understanding an Ancient Maya Manuscript
  • Foundations of New World Cultural Astronomy
  • The First Americans: Where They Came From and Who They Became
  • People and the Sky: Our Ancestors and the Cosmos
  • Foundations of New World Cultural Astronomy: A Reader With Commentary
  • Buried Beneath Us: Discovering the Ancient Cities of the Americas
  • ''The End of Time: The Maya Mystery of 2012''

    Distinctions

  • Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • National Professor of the Year – Council for Advancement and Support of Education
  • Rolling Stone's "10 Best Professors of the Year" list – Rolling Stone
  • The H. B. Nicholson Award for Excellence in Mesoamerican Studies – The Peabody Museum and the Moses Mesoamerican Archive at Harvard University
  • The Fryxell Award for Interdisciplinary Research – The Society for American Archaeology