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2024 - Volume 7 - Number 2

Astronomical Observatories in Thrace: Archaeoastronomical Data as Indication of Ancient Sun-Related Spiritual Practices (3rd-1st millennia BC)

Asen Bondzhev
New Bulgarian University, Department of History, Sofia, BULGARIA

Open Journal for Studies in History, 2024, 7(2), 88-98 * https://doi.org/10.32591/coas.ojsh.0702.04087b
Received: 5 October 2024 ▪ Revised: 16 December 2024 ▪ Accepted: 30 December 2024

LICENCE: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

ARTICLE (Full Text - PDF)

ABSTRACT:
In the past rock-cut monuments were used for horizon or meridional observations of solstices and equinoxes. This study focuses on three of the better studied through the means of archaeoastronomy monuments in Thrace – Tangardak kaya, Harman kaya and Zaychi vrah (Cabyle). The additional carvings of Tangadak kaya womb-cave suggest that it was used not simply for Sun-observation, but also for ancient Sun-related spiritual practices during the winter solstice. Similar practices were used two millennia later in the Golyama Arsenalka Thracian Tomb’s domed chamber, which shows that in Thrace there was a millennial continuity of ancient spiritual beliefs.

KEY WORDS: Thrace, rock-cut sanctuaries, Thracians, Sun-related practices, archaeoasronomy.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:
Asen Bondzhev, New Bulgarian University, Department of History, Sofia, BULGARIA.

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