Predecessors of astronomical observatories (ancient observation points of Sayan-Altai)

Abstract

Archeoastronomy is a relatively new trend in world archeology and astronomy, which began to develop in Western Europe from the end of the 19th century, and in Russia only from the 1980s. As a result of comprehensive studies of the Sayan-Altai archaeological expedition of the State Hermitage Museum, various types of observation points were discovered - rock and earthen holes, towers, grottoes, sculptures, "deer" stones, petroglyphs, centers of barrows and others. Stationary points for astronomical observations, as a rule, are located on the mountain slopes, and temporary points were often located in the center or outside the centers of large and small barrows. Comparison of astronomical points close in time from different areas of Sayan-Altai showed their great similarity in many signs. The article uses archaeological, paleoastronomic, metrological and comparative research methods. Observant astronomical points played an important role in the construction of religious objects of the ancient nomads of Sayan-Altai, in spite of the fact that they used for the different purposes during long or brief time.

Keywords

• archeoastronomy
• pillars complex
• pits
• high moon
• southern major standstill moonrise
• northern major standstill moonset
• religious construction
• defensive wall
• proto-observatory