The Bible alludes to this, as do other civilizations as the Sumerians, Indus, etc. These are nice lectures, notice how they weave the Bible and other ancient texts into the non-spiritual? A physical accounting of "times and seasons" as it relates to astrology and astronomy? I believe that is how a person needs to take these texts...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXh7p_WoahM&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIFlsS8fx6E&feature=player_embedded