Not all dolmens are oriented to the Sun. Or are they? Use of astronomical models help overturn dominant cultural-astronomy hypotheses in Iberia

Abstract

Abstract This paper challenges the notion that each Neolithic dolmen targets either a single astronomical body at a specific time of year or perhaps two, one in each direction of the monument alignment. By applying Silva and Pimenta’s 2012 statistical models of lunar cycles connected to the Sun through time to our Galician orientation data, we produced more astronomically correct and complete information about the most likely targets of these Galician dolmens. Silva and Pimenta’s work included chronological distributions of particular events for the solar year related to latitude, allowing us to consider astronomical bodies correlated with the time of year and place. Ultimately, we now more fully understand the integrated complexity of the previously simplified perception of dolmens concerning their connection to astronomical phenomena. Principally, it now seems that not only do multiple working targets more readily fit the data, but so, too, do several times throughout the year. Further, dolmen axes are oriented in both directions. These findings led us to conclude that the Neolithic people chose to highlight particular seasonal ranges through the orientations of their tombs. So the Sun, whilst remaining relevant to dolmen architectural design, is no longer considered a solitary target. This paper also explains why.