Ancient astronomies refer to the early practices of observing celestial bodies, such as the Sun, Moon, and stars, by various civilizations. Cultures like the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Maya developed sophisticated methods to track these movements, which helped them create calendars and predict seasonal changes. These early astronomers used simple tools, such as the gnomon and astrolabe, to measure angles and time. Their observations laid the groundwork for modern astronomy, influencing later thinkers like Ptolemy and Copernicus. The knowledge gained from ancient astronomies continues to shape our understanding of the universe today.