Papers by Belen Castro Martin
Five temples of Apollo on Mainland Greece and Ancient Ionia (Asia Minor), namely Delphi, Didyma, ... more Five temples of Apollo on Mainland Greece and Ancient Ionia (Asia Minor), namely Delphi, Didyma, Hierapolis, Delos and Rhodes, have been examined regarding their functioning through astronomical orientation. Recent research
has shown that the rise, setting, orbit and observation of certain constellations in the celestial sphere, as well as the solar stands, can be directly related to the architecture of the temple, i.e. construction, orientation, and keeping a calendar of the most important Apollonian oracular temple at Delphi. Here this lunar-solar-stellar configuration has been applied to other significant temples of Apollo. It is shown that at Didyma, Hierapolis and Delphi, the celestial pattern, as well as the landscape, local geology and architecture are similar, but different in temples without oracular function (Delos and Rhodes). Measurements were carried out by in situ readings and by Google Map tools.
Thirty two rock cut tombs are studied, from Petra in Jordan) and Madaa’in Saleh (Hegra) in northe... more Thirty two rock cut tombs are studied, from Petra in Jordan) and Madaa’in Saleh (Hegra) in northern Saudi Arabia. Satellite images were used from Google Earth and its accessory facilities on compass and slope evaluation. Some comparison of orientations were made with in situ compass and total station reading. There is not an apparent predominate orientation, even though striking directions are found (due south, mostly western, some eastern) which at any rate are related to sunrise, sunset and sun’s orbit, at solar stands (equinoctial, solstitial) when sun light could enter tombs’ entrance of the magnificent sculptured facades. Tombs are rather made by wealthy chiefs and officers, and any definite conclusion on deliberate orientation is without a strong argument. Google earth positions compared to in situ measurements present an error of c.2o.
Five temples of Apollo on Mainland Greece and Ancient Ionia (Asia Minor), namely Delphi, Didyma, ... more Five temples of Apollo on Mainland Greece and Ancient Ionia (Asia Minor), namely Delphi, Didyma, Hierapolis, Delos and Rhodes, have been examined regarding their functioning through astronomical orientation. Recent research has shown that the rise, setting, orbit and observation of certain constellations in the celestial sphere, as well as the solar stands, can be directly related to the architecture of the temple, i.e. construction, orientation, and keeping a calendar of the most important Apollonian oracular temple at Delphi. Here this lunar-solar-stellar configuration has been applied to other significant temples of Apollo. It is shown that at Didyma, Hierapolis and Delphi, the celestial pattern, as well as the landscape, local geology and architecture are similar, but different in temples without oracular function (Delos and Rhodes). Measurements were carried out by in situ readings and by Google Map tools.
The aim of this study is to review the chronological development of time reckoning and calendars ... more The aim of this study is to review the chronological development of time reckoning and calendars in Ancient Egypt from predynastic time to the late antiquity.
Keeping an exact calendar was important to schedule Delphic festivals. The proper day for a proph... more Keeping an exact calendar was important to schedule Delphic festivals. The proper day for a prophecy involved a meticulous calculation, which was carried out by learned priests and ancient philosophers. The month of Bysios on average is February, but in reality it could be any 30-day interval between January and March. Bysios starts with a New Moon, but the beginning of the month is not easily pinpointed and thus Bysios and the 7 th day for giving an oracle cannot be identified according to the Gregorian calendar. The celestial motions of Lyra and Cygnus with regards to sunrise and sunset are related to the Delphi temple's orientation and the high altitude of steep cliffs of the Faidriades in front of it. Light from the rising Sun shines at the back of the temple where the statue of the god is located, while the appearance and disappearance of Lyra and Cygnus, two of Apollo's favorite constellations in the Delphic sky, mark the period of absence of the god to the Hyperboreans. This coincides with the 3-month interval from the end of December to the middle of March. During the later part of this period, on the 7 th day of Bysios, the oracle was given. At any rate, the Delphic calendar was a lunar-solar-stellar one, and was properly adjusted to coincide with and preserve the seasonal movements of those constellations.
Uploads
Papers by Belen Castro Martin
has shown that the rise, setting, orbit and observation of certain constellations in the celestial sphere, as well as the solar stands, can be directly related to the architecture of the temple, i.e. construction, orientation, and keeping a calendar of the most important Apollonian oracular temple at Delphi. Here this lunar-solar-stellar configuration has been applied to other significant temples of Apollo. It is shown that at Didyma, Hierapolis and Delphi, the celestial pattern, as well as the landscape, local geology and architecture are similar, but different in temples without oracular function (Delos and Rhodes). Measurements were carried out by in situ readings and by Google Map tools.
has shown that the rise, setting, orbit and observation of certain constellations in the celestial sphere, as well as the solar stands, can be directly related to the architecture of the temple, i.e. construction, orientation, and keeping a calendar of the most important Apollonian oracular temple at Delphi. Here this lunar-solar-stellar configuration has been applied to other significant temples of Apollo. It is shown that at Didyma, Hierapolis and Delphi, the celestial pattern, as well as the landscape, local geology and architecture are similar, but different in temples without oracular function (Delos and Rhodes). Measurements were carried out by in situ readings and by Google Map tools.