On 01.12.2010, with the public presentation of scientific
results to the academic community and the exhibition ended the
first phase of the project "Thracian sanctuaries in the Western
Rhodope" of University research center for ancient European and
Eastern cultures. Studies were carried out with partners of the
Centre: National Archaeological Institute with Museum - Sofia,
National Observatory "Yuri Gagarin" - Stara Zagora. The study
involved students, graduate students and young scientists from the
Department of Cultural Studies of Southwestern University.
The emphasis in studies was on megalithic sanctuary "Salakov
beech", localized by us in the western foot of Mt Beslet, Western
Rhodopes. Open rock cuts on spectacular rock sponge rock arch and
stone "honeycomb" inside and show traces of a cult of the Great
Goddess - Mother. Her earliest zoomorphic image in Balkan-Anatolian
region is a bee.
Astronomical research found that the rock arch, the sanctuary is
directed toward the sunrise on the day of the summer solstice. This
connects it with the rock arches of Thracian megalithic shrines
"Tsarevi porti" and "Kayaliyski skali" in the Western Rhodopes and
the rock arch on the impressive megalithic sanctuary "Tsarev vrach"
in the South Rila.
These research results lead us to suppose that the "Feast of the
virile sun" was especially popular in some of the largest
megalithic temples of the Rila-Rhodope Massif.
"Flow" the rock cut grooves in the clearance of rock arches gives
us reason to think that these are traces of the ritual bath - part
of ancient rituals on the day of the summer solstice. This ritual
has testified in many Indo-European peoples.
Another significant achievement of the expedition are newly
minted rock discs of Razlog field. They are symbols of the sun god
and yet another testimony to the strength of the solar cult.
Last but not least should be placed the results of ethnological
studies in the field. They found traces of archaic custom
"Stopanova gosba" in Bulgarian folk culture research area. He has
proven in science Thracian origin.
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