Week length has varied from 10 days to 8 to
7 to 4 depending on where and when you lived.
The most popular day names has tended to be the
names of the seven astronomical objects (5 planets, plus the sun and moon) that
moved around the stars and were often associated with local gods.
Calendars and their history are quite
interesting. The basic problem is that our world insists on not being
convenient. It takes 365 and a quarter (plus a little bit) days to go
around the sun, so if you want to have a calendar that stays in tune with the
seasons (helps with agriculture and even migration if you are a member of a
nomadic tribe) it needs to be complicated.
If you then decide that the phase of the moon is a
good guide for normal activities (I'll meet you at the ford the next time the
moon is full etc.) you have even more complications in the
calendar.
Even some relatively literate societies have had
calendar problems. Ever wonder why "October Revolution" in Russia is
celebrated in November?
Ed
Ed & Wendy Hauser 2994 Mittower
Road Victor, MT 59875
