<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article may misquote or misrepresent many of its sources . Please see the cleanup page for more information . Editors: please remove this warning only after the diffs listed here have been checked for accuracy . (June 2013) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article may misquote or misrepresent many of its sources . Please see the cleanup page for more information . Editors: please remove this warning only after the diffs listed here have been checked for accuracy . (June 2013) </Td> </Tr> <P> The origins of Western astronomy can be found in Mesopotamia, and all Western efforts in the exact sciences are descendants in direct line from the work of the late Babylonian astronomers . Modern knowledge of Sumerian astronomy is indirect, via the earliest Babylonian star catalogues dating from about 1200 BC . The fact that many star names appear in Sumerian suggests a continuity reaching into the Early Bronze Age . </P> <P> The history of astronomy in Mesopotamia, and the world, begins with the Sumerians who developed the earliest writing system--known as cuneiform--around 3500--3200 BC . The Sumerians developed a form of astronomy that had an important influence on the sophisticated astronomy of the Babylonians . Astrolatry, which gave planetary gods an important role in Mesopotamian mythology and religion, began with the Sumerians . They also used a sexagesimal (base 60) place - value number system, which simplified the task of recording very great and very small numbers . The modern practices of dividing a circle into 360 degrees, of 60 minutes each, began with the Sumerians . </P>

How long ago were the ancient babylonians charting positions of the planets and stars