Which ancient civilizations kept important records of eclipses?

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Ancient civilizations that kept significant records of eclipses include:

  • China: Chinese records are among the oldest in the world, dating back more than 4,000 years. Early observations were recorded on oracle bones from the Shang dynasty, and systematic reporting continued through official histories for centuries. By the 3rd century CE, Chinese astronomers began attempting to predict eclipses, reaching high levels of accuracy by the 13th century.123
  • Babylonia: Babylonian astronomers maintained extensive astronomical diaries that recorded celestial phenomena, including numerous eclipses, from approximately 747 BCE to 75 CE. These records were highly systematic, and their methods for predicting eclipses were notably accurate for the period.42
  • Greece: Greek historical and literary works contain numerous references to eclipses, which were often interpreted as portents.2
  • Maya: The Dresden Codex contains computation tables that record intervals of possible solar and lunar eclipses, reflecting the sophisticated mathematical and calendrical systems of the Maya.5

While these civilizations left detailed accounts, no eclipse records have survived from ancient Egypt or India.2