Orientation of Bronze Age mounds in Mongolian Altai mountains

Part of : Mediterranean archaeology & archaeometry : international journal ; Vol.14, No.3, 2014, pages 223-232

Issue:
Pages:
223-232
Author:
Abstract:
This article presents the results of an archaeoastronomical study on the orientation of the prehistoric funerary mounds of the Ikh Bogd Uul Mountain, in the easternmost Mongolian Altai mountain range. After introducing the results of the measurements taken in the field, we hypothesize that the localisation pattern of mounds could be connected to an alignment with a specific mountaintop that is visible in the south eastern horizon, in coincidence with a specific lunar event: the southern major lunistice. In order to build a significant interpretative framework, we also examine several folk rituals from Central Asia that could be associated with the Mongolian traditional lunar calendar, as well as other moon-related celebrations.
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Subject (LC):
Keywords:
khirigsuur mounds, Mongolian archaeoastronomy, calendar, lunistice
Notes:
Περιέχει 7 εικόνες και 1 πίνακα.
References (1):
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