Astronomical alignments of paleo-Christian basilicas in Romania

Frincu, M ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1034-8409 and Giurginca, I, 2017. Astronomical alignments of paleo-Christian basilicas in Romania. Sociology and Anthropology, 5 (5), pp. 412-419. ISSN 2331-6179

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Abstract

In this paper we present the first comprehensive study of the astronomical alignments of paleo-Christian basilicas located in present day Romania. 20 basilicas from 10 sites have been investigated using a digital compass and tools such as Google Earth, Stellarium, and heywhatsthat.com. Results show that except two all fall within the solar sunrise arc. Of these some point to the rising Sun during the feast days of well-known Christian saints. The two exceptions at Argamum and Dinogeția indicate that the basilicas may be converted. The astronomical analysis in these two cases indicates a possible alignment with the moonrise during the major lunar standstill and the rising of the stars Arcturus, Castor, Mirach, and Algiebe.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Sociology and Anthropology
Creators:	Frincu, M. and Giurginca, I.
Publisher:	Horizon Research Publishing
Date:	2017
Volume:	5
Number:	5
ISSN:	2331-6179
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.13189/sa.2017.050505 DOI 1393240 Other
Rights:	Copyright © 2017 Horizon Research Publishing.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by:	Linda Sullivan
Date Added:	09 Dec 2020 10:04
Last Modified:	31 May 2021 15:10
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/41815

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