Astronomical orientations in sanctuaries of Daunia

TL;DR

This study analyzes the orientations of prehistoric sanctuaries in Daunia, suggesting their alignment with star settings like Centaurus, and confirms an archaeoastronomical prediction through archaeological evidence.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed astronomical analysis of Daunia sanctuaries and links their orientations to specific star settings, revealing ritual significance.

Findings

Sanctuary orientations align with star setting points

Confirmation of archaeoastronomical predictions

Evidence of ritual use based on astronomical alignments

Abstract

Prehistoric sanctuaries of Daunia date back several thousand years. During the Neolithic and Bronze Age the farmers in that region dug hypogea and holes whose characteristics suggest a ritual use. In the present note we summarize the results of the astronomical analysis of the orientation of the row holes in three different sites, and we point out the possible use of the setting of the stars of Centaurus. An interesting archaeological confirmation of an archaeoastronomical prediction is also reported.