Astronomical orientation analysis of three proto-historical sites in Friuli - Italy

TL;DR

This study used digital elevation models to analyze three proto-historical earthwork sites in Friuli, Italy, testing for astronomical alignments, but found no significant solar or lunar orientation patterns.

Contribution

The paper provides a detailed re-analysis of site orientations using digital models, challenging previous claims of astronomical alignments.

Findings

No systematic solar or lunar alignments detected

Digital elevation models used for precise orientation analysis

Previous hypotheses of astronomical alignments not supported

Abstract

In this paper we present the results of an archaeoastronomical survey of three proto-historical sites located in the high Friulian plain (Galleriano, Gradisca and Savalons), dating from the end of the Early Bronze Age (1900 B.C.) to the end of the Late Bronze Age (950 B.C.). These structures, commonly indicated as castellieri, are earthworks of quadrangular shape, with sides ranging from 140 to 250 m. At present the perimetrical earthen embankments reach a maximum base width of 18 m and an elevation of more than 5 m the surrounding plain in their best preserved parts. These three sites were often reported in the literature to have the corners aligned to the cardinal directions. Aveni and Romano (1986) included two of them (Galleriano and Gradisca) in their study of earthworks in Veneto and Friuli (Italy), tentatively proposing astronomically relevant alignments for some sides and diagonals. Inspired by this pioneering work and by the renovated archaeological interest for these sites, we obtained digital elevation models of the earthworks and re-analyzed their orientation. Our study does not confirm the presence of systematic and statistically significant solar or lunar alignments for these sites.