What were the Babylonian achievements in the field of navigation?

The Babylonians made significant contributions to the field of navigation through their astronomical observations and mathematical calculations. They were able to accurately determine the position of the stars and use them to navigate the seas.

Their most notable achievement was the development of a system of celestial navigation based on the stars. They divided the sky into twelve equal parts, each representing an hour of the night. They also divided the circle of the horizon into 360 degrees, and used these measurements to determine the altitude of the stars above the horizon. By combining these measurements with their knowledge of the positions of the stars, they were able to determine their latitude and longitude, allowing them to navigate long distances at sea.

The Babylonians also developed sophisticated mathematical techniques for calculating the movement of the stars and planets. They were able to predict eclipses and other astronomical events with remarkable accuracy, which helped them to refine their system of navigation.

In addition to celestial navigation, the Babylonians also made important contributions to the development of maps and charts. They created clay tablets that showed the topography of the land, as well as the location of rivers, mountains, and other landmarks. These maps were used to navigate the land and sea, and they helped to establish the Babylonians as one of the greatest navigational civilizations in history.