Influence of Cults of the Sun and the Earth on Planning and Volumetric Solution of Earth and Stone Sacral Structures of 5th–3rd Millennium BC

Abstract

One of the most characteristic features of the religious life of the 5th — 3rd millennium BC was the widespread construction of sacred earth and stone structures, the main purpose of which was to “connect” Mother Earth to the energy potential of space objects, especially the Sun. The mutual influence of the cults of the Sun and the Earth on the formation of the architectural image of sacred structures is an issue that has not been addressed in art criticism yet. Its solution is associated with another problem, rising in the scientific literature of the last decades and concerns the reflection of the leading religious-worldview ideas of a certain historical period in the characteristics of the dominant zodiacal signs at that time, under which a point of vernal equinox was during 2150 years.The aim of the article is to trace the influence of religious-worldview factors on architecture of the sacral structures of the 5th — 3rd millennium BC and to investigate whether the main cults of the Sun and Earth are displayed in the characteristics of the dominant zodiac signs of the Taurus (4 300–2 150 BC) and Aries (2150 BC — beg. is.).Research methodology. The methods of analysis, comparison and genera-lization are used.Results. As a result of the analysis of earth and stone sacral structures 5th — 3rd millennium BC it turned out that the basis of their construction was laid in two modules: in the form of a rectangle (symbol of the Earth) and a circle (the symbol of the Sun), which was conditioned by the domination of these cults. At an earlier stage of construction (5th — beginning of 3rd millennium BC) rectangular forms (long burial mounds) prevailed, which due to the domination of the cult of the Earth in connection with the spread of agriculture. Since the third millennium BC the module of the circle dominates, which is conditioned by the strengthening of the cult of the sun due to the development of astronomy and observation of the annual motion of the Sun and the movement of the sunrise point on the day of the vernal equinox. The leading cults of the Sun and Earth were reflected in the characteristics of the dominant zodiac signs at that time: the Taurus, which is considered an earth element sign and the symbol of the planet Earth, and Aries, which is considered a fire element sign, and the planet of its exaltation — the Sun.Conclusions. The obtained results indicate that the significant role of religious beliefs become the decisive factor in the formation of plans and volumes of religious structures of the 5th — 3rd millennium BC, as well as in determining the names and characteristics of the dominant in those time zodiacal constellations, in which the sun rises on the day of the vernal equinox.Novelty. An attempt is made to trace the effect of the cults of the sun and the earth on the construction of sacral structures of the 5th — 3rd millennium BC, as well as the reflection of the main religious-worldview ideas in the characteristics of the dominant zodiac signs of the time.The practical significance. The research can be used for the courses in architecture and art history, as well as for further research in this area of focus.