RESEARCH PROJECT “ASTRONOMICAL ORIENTATIONS AND GEOPHYSICAL ANOMALIES OF TRAPEZOIDAL NICHES IN THE EASTERN RHODOPES, BULGARIA“: IN SEARCH OF AN INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP

Abstract

Rock-cut monuments culture covers the Balkan Peninsula, Asia Minor and the European Mediterranean. It includes numerous rock sanctuaries in additionally processed rock massifs. Trapezoidal rock niches are es- pecially popular. They are always cut at a big height, on the vertical walls of visible from afar separate rocks and massifs, predominantly on the sunlit side. Most frequently, niches are trapezoidal, with about 1 meter in height and 40-50 cm in depth. Usually, they are in groups of 3 or 4, up to above 100. Up to now, 5000 sepa- rate niches are localized. We can differentiate them mainly on their form: - circle (elliptic, oval); - rectangular; - trapezoidal. Only research of trapezoidal rock niches in the Eastern Rhodopes is suggested in this project. Their specific situation connects them with the ancient cults-worship the Mountain, the Rock, as well as the Sun. It is not clear what kind of tools was used for niches production, and when they were made. Artifacts show that niches were used mainly in the period of 2500-1500 BC. Later, they were reused. An interdisciplinary approach is needed to apply for the full investigation of rock-cut trapezoidal niches. We should apply methods of archaeoastronomy, cultural science, ethnography, and other sciences. Taking into account the widespread culture of trapezoidal niches in Mediterranean civilizations, authors suggest collecting team of specialists for localization, documentation and dating of the trapezoidal rock niches. This research could be conducted through realization of a large-scale scientific European project last- ing 3-5 years.