Interpreting Megalithic Tomb Orientations and Siting Within Broader Cultural Contexts

Frank Prendergast

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This paper assesses the measured axial orientations and siting of Irish passage tombs. The distribution of monuments with passages/entrances directed at related tombs/cairns is shown. Where this phenomenon occurs, the targeted structure is invariably located at a higher elevation on the skyline and this could suggest a symbolic and hierarchical relationship in their relative siting in the landscape. Additional analysis of astronomical declinations at a national scale has identified tombs with an axial alignment towards the rising and setting positions of the Sun at the winter and summer solstices. A criteria-based framework is developed which potentially allows for these types of data to be more meaningfully considered and culturally interpreted within broader archaeological and social anthropological contexts.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-25
JournalJournal of Physics: Conference Series
Volume685
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2016

Keywords

  • measured axial orientations
  • siting
  • Irish passage tombs
  • distribution of monuments
  • symbolic and hierarchical relationship
  • astronomical declinations
  • winter and summer solstices
  • criteria-based framework
  • archaeological contexts
  • social anthropological contexts

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