Archaeoastronomy. On “Observational Technologies” in Ancient Armenia

Abstract

The paper provides some general information on the recent studies of the “Zorats Qarer” megalithic monument, in particular, some “observational instruments” and the possible observational methodology. Several types of “observational tools” are described, namely “observational platforms” that have their own “guiding stones”, stones with holes and the so-called “angular stones”. Observational “stone tools” of the “mixed type” (multifunctional) were also found in the monument. Recent studies have also shown that the observations were made in 3 main positions: standing, sitting (“on the seating platform”) and kneeling. With the help of the mentioned instruments, apart from the sunrise and sunset of the solstices and equinoxes, the heliacal rising and setting of bright stars, as well as their acronycal rising and cosmical setting were observed in the monument as well. In addition to the mentioned phenomena, apparent appearance and disappearance of stars at the points above the horizon were observed. The observers were also interested in the transitions of the stars in their upper and lower (for circumpolar stars) culmination points. The mentioned “technologies” were mainly used between the 9th and 3rd millennia BC.