Megalithic structures and dolmen orientation in Bulgaria

Abstract

A review of the main types of megalithic and quasi-megalithic monuments in Bulgaria is presented together with maps of their localization. A large and modern data base about the orientation of 110 Thracian dolmens (XII-VII c. BC) is interpreted in detail. The astronomic orientation principle is tested. The azimuths occupy wide sectors in South excluding the generalized north direction, but there is a little evidence for astronomically significant orientations. Looking for additional orientation principles we made a topographic analysis of dolmens. It was found that in numerous cases dolmens are oriented towards some height or peak on which ancient rock-cut sanctuary exists. Another curious principle was observed in a dolmen group in North Sakar Mountain: the neighborhood principle. As a next step the orientation of the dolmens was compared with the orientation of the classic temples under tumuli in the Thracian region (VI-III BC). The interaction between continuity and evolution is proved: the main dolmen orientation principle - towards the Sun god - has been preserved in the temple orientation in the next epoch.

Keywords

• megalithic monument
• thracian dolmen
• sun god
• north sakar mountain
• archaeoastronomy