About the Academy
Earth. Sky.
Human stories.
We make the study of humanity’s relationships with the sky accessible, inspiring and rigorous.
Our purpose
Understanding the sky
as part of human life.
The sky is woven into culture: how people understand time, place, identity and the world around them. Studying those relationships brings archaeology into conversation with astronomy, anthropology, history, religion and other fields.
Accessible without losing depth
Our teaching combines clear explanation with careful scholarship. We help learners engage with evidence, question assumptions and explore how celestial phenomena matter within particular social and cultural settings.
The people behind the teaching
Two perspectives.
A shared curiosity.
Dr Fabio Silva
An astronomer turned archaeologist, Fabio studies how societies have perceived their environments and related landscape and sky to their activities and understandings of the world.
His work includes research in Portugal and the United Kingdom. He co-founded the Journal of Skyscape Archaeology and brings extensive experience of university-level teaching and field research.
Dr Erica Ellingson
Erica brings a background in astrophysics and a longstanding interest in the ways people see and connect with the sky.
Her teaching and work in archaeoastronomy include engagement with cultural landscapes, astronomical interpretation and public learning. She is also part of the editorial team of the Journal of Skyscape Archaeology.
How we teach
With evidence
Research, context and careful reasoning underpin the questions we ask.
With openness
You can begin with curiosity and develop your understanding step by step.
With perspective
Different societies have understood the sky in different ways. Those differences matter.
Your next step
Find your place in the conversation.
Explore six ways to learn, from a first introduction to specialist study and individual support.