In article <[email hidden]>, Paul Saunders <[email hidden]> writes
Quoted message said:Bernard Hill said:That's fine. But man comes along and says "spring starts on March 21st". Sort of spoils it, eh?
I think what happened was this;
1. Once upon a time, our ancestors in this part of the world (Celts?) observed regular changes in
weather and vegetation over time, and thus invented the concept of seasons. This was a faily
local concept, limited to western central Europe. Thus they invented a calendar (primarily moon
based) that followed the seasons reasonably accurately.
You've forgotten to mention day length. Very important for rural peoples
- not linked to weather or vegetation directly.
Quoted message said:
2. The world got bigger and it was discovered that weather, vegetation, climate etc. were wildly
different all over the world and the simple seasonal system that worked so well locally made no
sense worldwide.
Quoted message said:
3. Astronomers came along and defined the seasons to precisely fit the equinoxes and solstices all
over the world, totally irrespective of weather and vegetation. The the seasons were
standardised for worldwide use, but they no longer match weather and vegetation cycles any
more, although they come fairly close in some places in the world.
... day length is a great astronomical fixed point.
Quoted message said:
Merry Christmas Bernard!
And to you :-)
Bernard Hill Selkirk, Scotland