Aaron M. Berkowitz, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607
In May 1997, Alexander Gurshtein published an article in the American Scientist hypothesizing that the twelve signs of the Zodiac were adopted in groups of four during the three astronomical epoch previous to this one. He does so based on what he claims are key symbolic themes that match each of his four constellation sets with one of these periods of time. However, in my opinion, these symbolism does not match up in the way that Gurshtein claims, and, in addition, written evidence from Babylonia contradicts many of Gurshtein's claims.