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Archaeoastronomy DatabaseThe Archaeoastronomy Database is a crowd-sourced compilation of investigations and observations of astronomical connections that can be objectively demonstrated at ancient sites whether intended by the builders or not. The goal is to collect as much data as possible in a searchable and categorized format so that observations can build on one another and in aggregate might contribute to our overall knowledge of the past. (more...)
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Steinkreis Schmölln
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Artist's reconstruction of the site.
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Proposed Astronomical Connections
The possible astronomy connections at this site are very exciting and much work remains to be done. The idea was sparked in connection with a cup marked stone with a pattern resembling the constellation of Canis Major that was shared on the Megalithic Portal forums (see below). From this beginning, correspondence continued and an investigation commenced.
The star Sirius in this constellation is the brightest star in the sky and would likely have attracted the attention of ancient sky watchers. By itself this pattern on the stone was already of some interest, but astronomical analysis seems to add even more to the idea.
A preliminary investigation was made using the site plan and oriented photographs from the public sign boards at the site of the reconstructed circle were used, along with software calculated horizon data and ancient astronomical positions, to place the layout of the site in the ancient landscape and skyscape.
The circle of stones where the cup marked stone was found has larger stones arranged in lines that radiate from the center like spokes in a wheel. The cup marked stone is shown in excavation photographs to be positioned where the southeast line of stones touches the perimeter. Taking the date of 500 BC for the site, it was determined that the star Sirius would rise along that line at that time period.
The other radiating lines in the circle include likely alignments to summer solstice sunrise and winter solstice sunset, with one other prominent line remaining. At first this line was thought to possibly mark some other division of the solar year, but more interestingly, when the sun was setting further north of this position, sometime after the spring equinox on the way to summer solstice, the star Sirius would be too close to the sun in the sky to be seen.
After the sun turned back southward and began to set along this line again on the way toward autumn equinox, the star would be seen rising again in the sky before dawn and would remain visible for as long as the sun rose southward of this position until the cycle repeated. This stellar alignment combined with solar positions would have signaled the time to watch again for the star to rise after a period when it could not be seen. This is known as a heliacal rise in modern astronomical terms and corresponds very closely to the positioning of the stones.
The place where a star rises and sets on the horizon changes very slowly over hundreds of years as the axis of the Earth precesses. Other features of the site seem to repeat the alignments discussed above, or to be close variations. There are also possible indications of rising and setting points for the moon during minor lunar standstills and at certain times in the past the star Sirius passed through these same positions.
Perhaps the site was used over time to track changes in the position of Sirius and its interaction with patterns of the sun and moon as well. While intentionality of alignments can’t be known for sure, it is worthwhile to investigate the possibilities and continue further investigations to see what alignments are most likely as supported by the evidence.
See discussion here: www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forum&file=viewtopic&topic=8548&forum=4
Illustrations below:
The possible astronomy connections at this site are very exciting and much work remains to be done. The idea was sparked in connection with a cup marked stone with a pattern resembling the constellation of Canis Major that was shared on the Megalithic Portal forums (see below). From this beginning, correspondence continued and an investigation commenced.
The star Sirius in this constellation is the brightest star in the sky and would likely have attracted the attention of ancient sky watchers. By itself this pattern on the stone was already of some interest, but astronomical analysis seems to add even more to the idea.
A preliminary investigation was made using the site plan and oriented photographs from the public sign boards at the site of the reconstructed circle were used, along with software calculated horizon data and ancient astronomical positions, to place the layout of the site in the ancient landscape and skyscape.
The circle of stones where the cup marked stone was found has larger stones arranged in lines that radiate from the center like spokes in a wheel. The cup marked stone is shown in excavation photographs to be positioned where the southeast line of stones touches the perimeter. Taking the date of 500 BC for the site, it was determined that the star Sirius would rise along that line at that time period.
The other radiating lines in the circle include likely alignments to summer solstice sunrise and winter solstice sunset, with one other prominent line remaining. At first this line was thought to possibly mark some other division of the solar year, but more interestingly, when the sun was setting further north of this position, sometime after the spring equinox on the way to summer solstice, the star Sirius would be too close to the sun in the sky to be seen.
After the sun turned back southward and began to set along this line again on the way toward autumn equinox, the star would be seen rising again in the sky before dawn and would remain visible for as long as the sun rose southward of this position until the cycle repeated. This stellar alignment combined with solar positions would have signaled the time to watch again for the star to rise after a period when it could not be seen. This is known as a heliacal rise in modern astronomical terms and corresponds very closely to the positioning of the stones.
The place where a star rises and sets on the horizon changes very slowly over hundreds of years as the axis of the Earth precesses. Other features of the site seem to repeat the alignments discussed above, or to be close variations. There are also possible indications of rising and setting points for the moon during minor lunar standstills and at certain times in the past the star Sirius passed through these same positions.
Perhaps the site was used over time to track changes in the position of Sirius and its interaction with patterns of the sun and moon as well. While intentionality of alignments can’t be known for sure, it is worthwhile to investigate the possibilities and continue further investigations to see what alignments are most likely as supported by the evidence.
See discussion here: www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forum&file=viewtopic&topic=8548&forum=4
Illustrations below:
