Archaeoastronomy and Ancient Technologies 2013, 1(1), 5-25
DOI: 10.24411/2310-2144-2013-00008
Arhaeoastronomical analysis of the Levinsadovka sacrificial complex (South Russia)
Larisa N. Vodolazhskaya1*, Vera A. Larenok2
1Southern Federal University (SFU), str. Zorge, 5, Rostov-on-Don, 344090, Russian Federation; E-mails: larisavodol@aaatec.org, larisavodol@gmail.com
2NP "Yuzharheologiya", str. M. Gor'kogo, 95A, Rostov-on-Don, 344082, Russian Federation; E-mail: dao2@inbox.ru
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed
Abstract
The article presents the results of a study of the unique sacrifice of the Levinsadovka sacrificial complex. On it were found large accumulations of animal bones near the buildings. An analogue of this sacrificial complex in the Northern Black Sea region not previously detected. Planigraphy of the sacrificial complex analyzed by arhaeoastronomical methods. The new method of calculating the terrain elevations with the use of topographic maps has been developed within this research to improve the accuracy. The location of bone clusters and the location of single finds of ancient stone tools were compared with the bearings of the rising and setting of the Sun and the Moon in the astronomically significant moments of the year. The orientation to important directions, associated with the Moon, in the organization of the sacrificial complex was identified as a result of this comparison. Detected orientation of the Levinsadovka sacrificial complex allows considering it the Moon sanctuary. Sacrificed fragments of stone tools with smooth surface were located on the Moon directions as did clusters of bones. Using folklore data it is concluded that the stone tools symbolized thunderstones, and were regarded as fragments of the stone Sky or the Moon in the Bronze Age, most likely.
Keywords: archaeoastronomy, method of calculation, terrain elevations, stone tools, Moon, thunderstones, meteorites.
Full Text: Download pdf (English)
References
1. Magli, G. Akhet Khufu: archaeo-astronomical hints at a common project of the two main pyramids of Giza, Egypt, arXiv, 2007, http://arxiv.org/abs/0708.3632 (accessed on 15.09.2013). 2. Magli, G. Geometry and perspective in the landscape of the Saqqara pyramids, arXiv, 2009, http://arxiv.org/abs/0911.4614 (accessed on 15.09.2013).
3. Sparavigna, A.C. The sunrise amplitude equation applied to an Egyptian temple, arXiv, 2012, http://arxiv.org/abs/1207.6942 (accessed on 15.09.2013).
4. Magli, G. A cognitive approach to the topography of the 12th dynasty pyramids, arXiv, 2010, http://arxiv.org/abs/1011.2122 (accessed on 15.09.2013).
5. Magli, G. Reconstruction of ancient conceptual landscapes in the Nile Valley, arXiv, 2011, http://arxiv.org/abs/1104.1785 (accessed on 15.09.2013).
6. Salt, A. An analysis of astronomical alignments of Greek Sicilian Temples, arXiv, 2010, http://arxiv.org/abs/1001.3757 (accessed on 15.09.2013).
7. Magli, G. On the orientation of Roman towns in Italy, arXiv, 2007, http://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0703213 (accessed on 15.09.2013).
8. Hannah, R.; Magli, G. The role of the sun in the Pantheon's design and meaning, arXiv, 2009, http://arxiv.org/abs/0910.0128 (accessed on 15.09.2013).
9. Ferro, L.; Magli, G. The astronomical orientation of the urban plan of Alexandria, arXiv, 2011, http://arxiv.org/abs/1103.0939 (accessed on 15.09.2013).
10. Potemkina, T. M. Osobennosti struktury sakral'nogo prostranstva e'neoliticheskix kurganov so stolbovymi konstrukciyami (po materialam Severnogo Prichernomor'ya) [Features of the structure of sacred space Eneolithic burial mounds with columnar construction (based on the Northern Black Sea)]. Pamyatniki arxeologii i drevnego iskusstva Evrazii [Monuments of Ancient Art and Archeology of Eurasia]. M.: Institut arxeologii RAN, 2004, p. 214.
11. Potemkina, T. M. Arxitekturnye osobennosti kurgana Usatovo I-4 [Architectural features mound Usatove I-4]. Kratkie soobshheniya Instituta arxeologii. [Brief Communications Institute of Archaeology]. MY. 225, M., 2011, pp. 206-219.
12. Kirillov, A. Kurgany Doneckoj oblasti kak ob"ekty issledovanij arxeoastronomii [Mounds Donetsk region as research objects archaeoastronomy]. Arxeologicheskij al'manax [Archaeological almanac]. No. 25. Doneck: "Bytservis", 2011, pp. 180-198.
13. Vinokurov, N.; Macnev, D.; Fesenko, A. Sirius, sozvezdie Bliznecov i syuzhet bozhestvennoj oxoty v Krymskom Priazov'e (na primere nekropolya gorodishha Artezian) [Sirius constellation Gemini and the story of the divine hunting in the Crimean Azov region (for example, the necropolis of the settlement Artesian)]. Bosporskie issledovaniya. Sbornik nauchnyx trudov. [Bosporus study. Collection of scientific papers.]. MY. XVI, Simferopol' - Kerch': Krymskoe otdelenie Instituta vostokovedeniya im. A.E. Krymskogo NAN Ukrainy, 2007, pp. 171-190.
14. Vodolazhskaya, L.N.; Vodolazhskij, D.I.; Il'yukov, L.S. Metodika komp'yuternoj fiksacii graficheskogo materiala arxeologicheskix raskopok na primere Karataevskoj kreposti [Fixation technique of computer graphic material of archaeological excavations on the example Karataevskoy fortress]. Informacionnyj byulleten' Associacii "Istoriya i komp'yuter". [Association Newsletter "History and the computer"]. No 31, M.: Moskovskogo universiteta, 2003, pp. 248-258; http://www.aik-sng.ru/text/bullet/31/248-258.html (accessed on 15.09.2013).
15. Vodolazhskaya, L.N.; Nevskij , M.Yu. Arxeoastronomicheskie issledovaniya svyatilishha Karataevo-Livencovskogo kompleksa [Archaeoastronomical research sanctuary Karataeva Liventsovsky-complex]. Metodika issledovaniya kul'tovyx kompleksov. [Methods of study of religious complexes]. Barnaul: OOO "Pyat' plyus", 2012. pp. 5-13
16. Potemkina, T. M. Dinamika mirovozzrencheskix tradicij Yuzhnotaezhnogo Tobolo-Irtysh'ya (ot e'neolita do srednevekov'ya). [Dynamics philosophical traditions Tobol and Irtysh yuzhnotaezhnom (from the Chalcolithic to the Middle Ages)]. Miroponimanie drevnix i tradicionnyx obshhestv Evrazii. [Worldview of the ancient and traditional societies of Eurasia]. M.:Institut arxeologii RAN, 2006. pp. 120-189.
17. Kelley, D.; Milone, E. Exploring Ancient Skies: An Encyclopedic Survey of Archaeoastronomy. New York: Springer-NY, 2005, p. 21.
18. Potemkina, T. M.; Yurevich, V. A. Iz opyta arxeoastronomicheskogo issledovaniya arxeologicheskix pamyatnikov (metodicheskij aspekt). [From the experience of archaeoastronomical studies of archaeological sites (methodological aspect)]. M.: IA RAN, 1998, p. 19.
19. Abalakin, V.K. Astronomicheskij kalendar'. Postoyannaya chast'. [Astronomical calendar. Permanent part]. M.: Nauka, 1981, p. 44.
20. Montenbruk, O.; Pfleger, T. Astronomiya na personal'nom komp'yutere. [Astronomy on the personal computer]. SPb.: Piter, 2002, p. 33.
21. Thom, A. Megalithic lunar observatories. Oxford University Press, 1971, 127 p.
22. Magli, G. Topography, astronomy and dynastic history in the alignments of the pyramid fields of the Old Kingdom. Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry, 2010, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 59-74.
23. Red'kov, V.S. Rukovodstvo po texnicheskomu nivelirovaniyu i vysotnym teodolitnym xodam. [Technical Manual leveling and high-altitude traverse moves]. M.: Nedra, 1974, p. 31.
24. Larenok, V.A.; Larenok, P.A. Raskopki poseleniya Levinsadovka v Neklinovskom rajone Rostovskoj oblasti v 2009 g. [Excavations in settlements Levinsadovka Neklinovsky district of Rostov region in 2009]. Istoriko-arxeologicheskie issledovaniya v g. Azove i na Nizhnem Donu v 2009 g. [Historical and archaeological research in Azov and the Lower Don in 2009]. MY. 25, Azov: Izdatel'stvo Azovskogo muzeya-zapovednika, 2011, pp. 78-96.
25. Hoof, L.; Dally, O.; Schloffel, M. Staying Home or Staying with your Cattle? Different Reactions to Environmental Changes in the Late Bronze Age of the Lower Don Area (Southern Russia). eTopoi. Journal for Ancient Studies. Special Volume 3 (2012), pp. 71-75; http://journal.topoi.org/index.php/etopoi/article/view/121 (accessed on 15.09.2013).
26. Rapen, K. Svyatilishha Srednej Azii v e'poxu e'llinizma. [Sanctuary of Central Asia in the Hellenistic]. Vestnik Drevnej Istorii. [Herald of Ancient History]. No. 4, 1994, p. 132.
27. Zoroastrijskie teksty. Suzhdenie Duxa razuma (Dadestan-i menog-i xrad). Sotvorenie osnovy (Bundaxishn) i drugie teksty. [Zoroastrian texts. Judgment Spirit Mind (Dadestan and menog and hrad). Creation of base (Bundahishn) and other texts]. M.: Vostochnaya literature, 1997, p. 286.
28. Bongard-Levin, G.M.; Grantovskij, E'.A. Ot Skifii do Indii. Drevni arii: mify i istoriya. [From Scythia to India. The ancient Aryans: Myth and History]. M.: Nauka, 1983, p. 167.
29. Campbell, L.A. Mithraic Iconography and Ideology. Leiden, 1968, p. 80.
30. Berezanskaya, S.S. Pustynka. Poselenie e'poxi bronzy na Dnepre. [Pustynka. Bronze Age settlement on the Dnieper]. Kiev, 1974, 176 p.
31. Gura, A.V. Lunnye pyatna: sposoby konstruirovaniya mifologicheskogo teksta [Lunar spots: ways of constructing a mythological text]. Slavyanskij i balkanskij fol'klor. Semantika i pragmatika teksta. [Slavic and Balkan folklore. Semantics and pragmatics of the text]. M.: Indrik. p. 461.
32. Pisani, V. II paganenismo balto-slavo. Storia delle religioni. vol 2. Torino, UTET: 55-100 (orig. ed. 1949), 1965, p. 842.
33. Verrier, E. Myths of Middle India. Madras: Oxford University Press, No 12, 1949, p. 114.
34. Krappe, A. H. La Genese des Mythes. Paris: Payot, 1938, p. 111.
35. Zanda, B.; Rotaru, M. Meteorites: Their Impact on Science and History. Cambridge University Press, 2001, p. 20.
36. Dubov, I. V. O datirovke zheleznyx shejnyx griven s priveskami v vide "molotochkov Tora". [On the dating of iron neck hryvnia with pendants in the form of a "hammer of Thor"]. Istoricheskie svyazi Skandinavii i Rossii IX-XX vv. [Historical ties Scandinavia and Russia IX-XX centuries]. L.: Nauka, 1970, p. 262.
37. Afanas'ev, A. N. Poe'ticheskie vozzreniya slavyan na prirodu. Opyt sravnitel'nogo izucheniya slavyanskix predanij i verovanij, v svyazi s mificheskimi skazaniyami drugix rodstvenyx narodov. [Poetic views on the nature of the Slavs. Experience a comparative study Slavic traditions and beliefs in connection with mythical tales of other related peoples]. T. I, M.: Izd. K. Soldatenkova. 1865. 803 p. (http://books.google.ru/books?id=iakOAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=true) (accessed on 15.09.2013)
38. Gorbov, V.N., Mimoxod, R.A., Kul'tovye kompleksy na poseleniyax srubnoj kul'tury Severo-Vostochnogo Priazov'ya. [Religious complexes in the settlements carcass culture of the North-Eastern Azov]. Drevnosti Severo-Vostochnogo Priazov'ya: Sbornik nauchnyx statej. [Antiquities North-Eastern Azov: Collected articles]. Doneck: Ukrainskij kul'turologicheskij centr, 1999. S. 35.
39. Lippmann, E.O. Entstehung und Ausbreitung der Alchemie. Berlin, 1919, p. 612; Bd. Ill, Weinheim, 1954, pp. 57 - 61.
40. Larenok, V.A. Raskopki poseleniya Levinsadovka v Neklinovskom rajone Rostovskoj oblasti v 2009 godu. Illyustracii k otchetu. [Excavations in settlements Levinsadovka Neklinovsky district of Rostov region in 2009. Illustrations to the report]. Rostov-na-Donu: NP Yuzharxeologiya. 2010.
