On the Origin of the Lunar and Solar Periods in Babylonian Lunar Theory

In this investigation, I sketch the way in which Babylonian astronomers may have derived the basic parameters of their lunar theory. I propose that the lunar velocity period of 6247 synodic months which underlies the construction of functions Φ and F of system A is derived by fitting a multiple of the Saros period of 223 synodic months within an integer number of solar years using the 27-year Sirius period relation. I further suggest that the lunar velocity period of 251 synodic months used to construct function F of system B is a direct derivative of the 6247-month period. I also briefly discuss the origin of the periods
of the solar velocity function B (of system A) and of the solar longitude function A (of system B) suggesting that the periods of these functions may have been derived from a refined version of the 27-year Sirius period. I finally discuss the timeframe of the possible stepwise development of these early lunar and solar functions.