From Herodotus onward, historians tried hard “to reconstruct” a chronology. It was the ancestor of the historical method which then grew richer in information resulting from documents dated in different systems. From the XXth century onward, historians used so-called scientific methods: carbon dating, dendrochronology, astronomy, etc. Although each method has its advantages and its weaknesses, the one which uses eclipses has an indisputable advantage because the movement of celestial bodies can be calculated in retrospect with much precision. It allows a relative chronology to be turned into an absolute chronology either in the case of a total eclipse, or in the case of a set of eclipses accurately described which makes the observed phenomenon unique within a given period. The main interest of the scientific dating is to anchor the historical chronology to pivotal dates. My aim in proposing this method is to show that the interactive combination of historic, calendar and astronomical data allows to increase the number of pivotal dates and to certify them. To illustrate the principle and the advantages of this method of chronological reconstruction, well known events (death of Sesostris III, of Thutmosis III, of Xerxes I, of Herod and of Jesus) the dating of which is debated have been examined.[table “6” not found /]
Categories: PhD Research