Astronomical Interpretation of the Signs on the Vessel of the Bronze Age (Central Donbass)

TL;DR

This study uses archaeological and astronomical methods to interpret signs on a Bronze Age vessel, revealing advanced astronomical knowledge of the Srubna culture's priesthood through symbols related to stars, the Sun, and time measurement.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed astronomical interpretation of signs on a Bronze Age vessel, linking them to concepts like the equation of time and solar movements.

Findings

Signs represent astronomical phenomena like Sirius and solar timings.

The vessel functions as an ancient astronomical instrument.

It indicates sophisticated astronomical understanding in the Srubna culture.

Abstract

The article presents the results of multidisciplinary study carried out with the help of archaeological and astronomical methods. The aim of the study was to analyze and interpret the signs - elements of the composition, incised on the outer side surface of the vessel of the Late Bronze Age, owned to Srubna culture and discovered near the Staropetrovsky village in the northeast of the Donetsk region. The measurements and astronomical calculations revealed that all signs have astronomical meaning. Fourray star has been interpreted as the star Sirius. The sign polyline has been interpreted as an analog of graphic of equation of time in which the testimony of a water clock correspond with average solar time, and the testimony of a sundial - the true solar time. Sign wheel has been interpreted as a complex of lines, reflecting the regularity changing the direction of the shadows from the gnomon at sunset at the equinoxes and solstices. The sign thin polyline has been interpreted as a symbol of change of height of the Sun in the meridian at the equinoxes and solstices. Interpretation of wheel and polyline is related to the definition of the duration of the day. Sign of the wheel shows a direct relationship the duration of the day on the magnitude of the azimuth of sunrise/sunset, and thin polyline - from changing the height of the Sun in the meridian. Thus Staropetrovsky vessel, thanks to the astronomical signs, is a kind of ancient astronomical visual aid, which reflects the level of astronomical knowledge of the priesthood of Srubna culture at the late Bronze Age. Archaeoastronomy, vessel, Srubna culture, marks, Sirius, equation of time, mean solar time, true solar time, azimuth, calendar, astronomical year.