The archaeoastronomical work on the database of the Basatanya burial site, Hungary

Abstract

Studying the archeological database of neolithical cemeteries from
the astronomy point of view we can approach better to the
knowledge and customs of the ancient people.
The astronomical investigations shows how the ancient man
observe the night sky and how he introduce
the observed astronomical phenomenon in customs.
The burial site Basatanya (copper age) begins in the period of
Tiszapolgar culture on the left bank of the Selypes creek, and will be
extended in the East--North-East direction.
Following the characteristic of the funeral inventory, the burial
rites and the anthropological general type, we can say that in the Basatanya
cemetery was a same community in normal evolution.
Further, we ascertain an important penetration of Mediterranean elements in the
Bodrogkeresztur culture observing a peaceful mixture of population
and customs.

Our archaeoastronomical investigation shows that greater attention
was paid to orientating grave pits.

Full text

Seminar on the Best Approximation Theory,
Convexity and Approximation
Cluj–Napoca, 2001
The archaeoastronomical work on the
database of the Basatanya burial site,
Hungary
Iharka Csillik
(Cluj Napoca)
Zoia Maxim
(Cluj Napoca)
Katalin Barlai
(Budapest)
1 Introduction
Archaeoastronomy as a scientific discipline is extremely impor-
tant for discovery not only of the origins and stages of astronomi-
cal knowledge development, but also reconstruction of the ancient
production cycles, stages of paleoclimatic fluctuation, for defining
the chronology of archeological cultures, solving the mysteries of
mythological creation, investigating calendar systems and ancient
knowledge in general [11].
Studying the archeological database of neolithical cemeteries
from the astronomy point of view we can approach better to the
knowledge and customs of the ancient people. The astronomical
investigations shows how the ancient man observe the night sky
and how he introduce the observed astronomical phenomenon in
customs.

2Archaeoastronomy in the Basatanya cemetery
As an interdisciplinary science the archaeoastronomy begin in
the same time with the Lockyer professor’s research about the as-
tronomical orientation of Egyptian pyramids (1908), and in the
same time with the astronomical investigations of the megalithic
stones from Stonehenge [6]. The archaeoastronomy study the as-
tronomical orientations of ancient constructions. In the Danubian
Basin one can find a lot of prehistorian cemeteries, sanctuaries,
churches, which astronomical orientations investigation is impor-
tant.
The Carpathian Basin is a centered and closed area, [8], [7],
ideal living place for the ancient people. The Danube valleys and
afflux are the best access way in that Basin. It have fruitful lands
like the Nile valley. Due to this fact the neolitization in that part
of Europe was very early.
In the Danubian Basin were studied numerous archaeological
places from which we enumerate some: cemeteries (Iclod, Cernica
(Romania); Tiszapolgar, Basatanya, Bodrogkeresztur (Hungary);
Gomolova, Mokrin (Serbia)), sanctuary (Parta (Romania)), etc.
([1], [2], [10], [12], [17]).
In the Danubian Basin are few astronomers (archaeologist)
with archaeoastronomy preoccupation ([1], [9], [10], [12], [13], [14],
[17], etc.), so we initiated an archaeoastronomy project for this
part of Europe.
The purpose of the research on the Basatanya cemetery (cop-
per age) from the archaeoastronomy point of view is the astronom-
ical orientation and the work on the diverse data from archaeolog-
ical, anthropological, ethnological, etc. point of view [2].
The Basatanya cemetery was published in 1963 by I. Kutzian,
[4], [5]. This monographs is a very good references and a good
model for multidisciplinary research.
The great amount of date and information determine us to in-
clude Basatanya cemetery as the first database in our archaeoas-
tronomy project, and for this goal we write a general database,
where we will introduce other Neolithic cemetery from the Danu-
bian Basin. For this fact the international collaboration is very

Iharka Csillik, Zoia Maxim and Katalin Barlai 3
important.
The database can be load using the soft Microsoft Access, Mi-
crosoft Excel or Zeus [15] or our programs written in Maple and
Matlab language.
We compute a graphic for the graves position in the Basatanya
cemetery in Matlab language, measuring two position (xand y)
with respect to a chosen origin (0) on the map (Fig. 1). In this
Figure 1: Basatanya cemetery
figure one can see around x= 10 a gap, which corresponds to
Szandalik canal. This washed away the south-western corner of
the Copper Age cemetery. (In 1928, the Szandalik canal was built,
with an intake from the Selypes creek south of the Basatanya
settlement near Tiszapolgar. The creek flows into the Tisza river.)
The graves affected by the earthwork were destroyed. The Selypes
creek older flow is at west from the cemetery. In the period I
(Tiszapolgar culture) they buried near to the Selypes creek. In the
period II (Bodrogkeresztur culture) the graves are in the eastern
part of the necropolis.

4Archaeoastronomy in the Basatanya cemetery
2 The astronomical orientation method
We know that today the points of sunrise and sunset differ from
those seen around 4000 BC (Tiszapolgar-Basatanya culture), due
to the precession of the equinoctial point. The points of sunrise
(sunset) describe a solar arc during the year, which is limited by
the points observable at the winter and summer solstice.
First, we calculate the azimuth of the Sun (the angles are
measured from the North to East) at the latitude of Basatanya
(ϕ= 47◦.817) for the summer and winter solstice. For the calcu-
lus we used the formula:
cos A=sin δ
cos ϕ,
where δis the Sun’s declination, ϕis the geographical latitude of
Basatanya, Ais the azimuth.
During one year δchanges between the limits +εand −ε, where
εis the angle enclosed by the Equator and the Ecliptic.
Using the Wittmann theory (1979) and following the next al-
gorithm, we will obtain the limits of the solar arc [18]:
1. Calculate the angle ε:
ε=ε0+ε1sin ε2(T+ε3),
ε0= 23◦.496932,
ε1=−0◦.860,
ε2= 0.01532 rad/century,
ε3= 3.4 century.
2. Calculate Tfor the epoch of 1900.0, measured in Julian Cen-
turies. For Basatanya we have JD = 260424 [?]:
T=JD −2415020
36525 =−58.989.
3. The substitution of δ=±ε= 24◦.14 yields us:

Iharka Csillik, Zoia Maxim and Katalin Barlai 5
–the azimuth of sunrise for summer solstice: 52◦.473,
–the azimuth of sunrise for winter solstice: 125◦.886,
–the azimuth of sunset for summer solstice: 305◦.886,
–the azimuth of sunset for winter solstice: 232◦.473.
For this mathematical algorithm we write a simple numerical pro-
gram in Maple language, which we can use for different initial
condition (We tested our program and compared with other ex-
istent in special literature). In figure 2 we present the solar arc
at the geographic latitude of Basatanya. We have 8 graves that
Figure 2: The solar arc at the geographic latitude of Basatanya
are outside of the solar arc (G9 (225◦), G22 (220◦), G31 (210◦),
G81 (316◦), G126 (222◦), G136 (225◦), G138 (42◦), G143 (135◦)).
Analyzing these graves we can see that in the Tiszapolgar culture

6Archaeoastronomy in the Basatanya cemetery
four children are buried outside (three children are orientated be-
fore the western solar arc, 232◦, and they have something special
in the inventory). In the Bodrogkeresztur culture (graves from the
second phase) we found four women skeleton between the age 25
and 39 with the poor inventory.
3 Graves orientation analysis
The orientation of the grave was measured between the longer
axis of the grave and geographical north clockwise toward to east.
Orientation of 148 graves was measured from 156 excavated (Fig.
3). One can observe that the graves are orientated to east (17.5
Figure 3: Orientation of the graves from Basatanya cemetery
%) and west (82.5 %). If we represented the histogram of the
Tiszapolgar culture (Fig. 4) we obtain 5 % orientated to east and
95 % orientated to west.
Comparing the histogram of Bodrogkeresztur culture (Fig. 5)
with figure 4 one can see easily that in the second case are more

Iharka Csillik, Zoia Maxim and Katalin Barlai 7
Figure 4: Orientation of the graves from Tiszapolgar culture
Figure 5: Orientation of the graves from Bodrogkeresztur culture

8Archaeoastronomy in the Basatanya cemetery
Figure 6: The age distribution in Basatanya cemetery
graves oriented to east (26 %).
In figure 6, which represent distribution of the graves with
respect to the age, we can see the following: increase of the mor-
tality from the age 2 and around 7 (33 %); between the age 18 and
30 (men, probable military cause), 30–45 years (female, probable
birth rate); 50–60 years. The oldest man in period II died at the
age of 60–65, and the oldest woman died in the period I is around
the same age. Graves were divided into male’s (66), female’s (49)
and children’s graves presented in histograms (Figure 7, 8, 9).
In figure 7 we can see that one child (13–14 year) grave (G110),
from the Bodrogkeresztur culture, is orientated at east, and it is
lay on an older pit (unic case in this cemetery). Most of the
children have western orientation (220◦−260◦). The female are
orientated to east (around 80◦) and most of them to west (around
270◦) (Fig. 8).
From the orientated female’s skeletons 9.7 % are on the right
side and 90.3 % are on the left side, from which 81 % looking to

Iharka Csillik, Zoia Maxim and Katalin Barlai 9
North and 19 % to South.
The male orientation are to east (around 70◦) and most of
them to west (around 280◦) (Fig. 9). From the orientated male’s
skeletons 85.3 % are on the right side and 14.7 % are on the left
side, from which 6 % looking to North and 94 % to South.
Figure 10 shows the distributions of azimuth (degrees) with
respect to the anthropological type: AM – Atlanto-Mediterranean
(1.1 %); CM – Classical-Mediterranean (6.6 %); GM – Gracile
Mediterranean (9.9 %); N – Nordic (1.1 %); PE – Proto-Europid
(29 %); PM – Proto-Mediterranean (22 %); M – Mediterranean
(28 %) and some mixed types.
In conclusion we can say that the Mediterranean type and
mixed Mediterranean type (CM, GM, AM, PM) represents 67.6%
from the total anthropological analysis (Fig. 10). The pure type
(AM, CM, GM, M, PE, PM) represents 60% (from total), in which
the Proto-Mediterranean type represents 30% and the Proto-Europid
type represents 26%. The calculus and measures was made with
Figure 7: Children’s skeletons orientation

10 Archaeoastronomy in the Basatanya cemetery
Figure 8: Female’s skeletons orientation
Figure 9: Male’s skeletons orientation

Iharka Csillik, Zoia Maxim and Katalin Barlai 11
one or two degrees error. We found that the Mediterranean type
Figure 10: Anthropological distribution
(M, CM, M+PM, CM+PE, M+PE, PM+PE), which represent the
37.6 % from the total anthropomorphic type have just east orienta-
tion, most of them from the Bodrogkeresztur culture. Further, we
mention that in the Tiszapolgar culture the Proto-Europid type
predominate, and in the Bodrogkeresztur culture the Mediter-
ranean type prevail.
4 Conclusions
We make for our presented calculus numerical programs in
Maple language, and histograms, map in Matlab language. Our
programs can be utilized for other research for similar cases.
The burial site Basatanya (copper age) begins in the period of
Tiszapolgar culture on the left bank of the Selypes creek, and will
be extended in the East–North-East direction.
Following the characteristic of the funeral inventory, the burial

12 Archaeoastronomy in the Basatanya cemetery
rites and the anthropological general type, we can say that in the
Basatanya cemetery was a same community in normal evolution.
Further, we ascertain an important penetration of Mediterranean
elements in the Bodrogkeresztur culture observing a peaceful mix-
ture of population and customs.
Our archaeoastronomical investigation shows that greater at-
tention was paid to orientating grave pits [17], [10].
All human cultures see the sky, and all seem to have had some
astronomical interest. Whether they are telling us everything, and
how much their thought was influenced by scientific astronomy,
are basic questions for archaeoastronomy [16].
References
[1] K. Barlai. On the orientation of graves in prehistoric ceme-
teries. Archaeoastronomy, 8: 29–32, 1980.
[2] K. Barlai, and M. P´ocs. Microhistory in Basatanya I Copper
Age Cemetery. SEAC, Tartu, 2002.
[3] V. Turcu, I. Csillik, and D. Moldovan. Calendar Astronomic
2004. Editura Nereamia Napocae, Cluj Napoca, 2004.
[4] I. B. Kutzian. The Copper Age Cemetery of Tiszapolgar-
Basatanya. Archaeologica Hungarica. Editura Academia, Bu-
dapesta, 1963.
[5] I. B. Kutzian. The Early Copper Age Tiszapolgar Cul-
ture in Carpathian Basin. Archaeologica Hungarica. Editura
Academia, Budapesta, 1972.
[6] J. N. Lockyer. Dawn of Astronomy. In paperback by
Kessinger Publishing Company, 1997.
[7] J. Makkay. Problems concerning Copper Age cronology in
the Carpathian Basin. AAH, 28: 251–300, 1976.

Iharka Csillik, Zoia Maxim and Katalin Barlai 13
[8] J. Makkay. A magyarorsz´agi neolitikum kutat´asainak ´uj
eredm´enyei. Budapest, 1982.
[9] Z. Maxim. Neo-Eneoliticul din Transilvania. Bibliotheca Mu-
sei Napocensis, XIX, Cluj, 1999.
[10] Z. Maxim, Gh. D. Chis, T. Oproiu, and I. Csillik. The astro-
nomical aspects of the orientation of the graves in the burial
site of Iclod. ”Unwritted Messages” from the Carpathian
Basin, Konkoly Observatory Monographs, 4: 19–29, 2002.
[11] V. N. Obridko, T. M. Potyomkina, A. V. Lushnikova,
I. B. Pustylnik, and V. M. Chepurova. Astronomy of ancient
civilizations. Astronomical and Astrophisycal Transactions,
21: 279–291, 2002.
[12] Gh. Lazarovici, Gh. D. Chis, T. Oproiu, and I. Csillik. The
neolithic shrine at Parta. ”Unwritted Messages” from the
Carpathian Basin, Konkoly Observatory Monographs, 4: 7–
18, 2002.
[13] F. Stanescu. Consideratii privitoare la posibile semnificatii
astronomice ale altarului de la Sarmisegetusa-Regia. AMN
XXII-XXIII, Cluj, 1985.
[14] F. Stanescu. Considerations concerning possible modalities
to establish the astronomical directions in dacian sanctuaries.
The problem of the apparent and the mathematic horizon at
Sarmisegetusa-Regia. Studii de istorie antica, Deva, 2001.
[15] L. Tarcea, Gh. Lazarovici, and C. Sangerean. Zeus: Sistem
pentru gestionarea si prelucrarea datelor arheologice. Ac-
taMN, 33: 683–689, 1995.
[16] D. E. Thomsen. The Old and the Ethnic in Astronomy. Sci-
ence News, 131: 170–171, 1987.
[17] A. Vince, and B. Jovanovic. Orientation of graves and skele-
tons in the early bronze age necropolis of Mokrin. ”Unwritted

14 Archaeoastronomy in the Basatanya cemetery
Messages” from the Carpathian Basin, Konkoly Observatory
Monographs, 4: 31–44, 2002.
[18] A. Wittmann. The obliquity of the ecliptic. Astronomy and
Astrophysics, 73: 129-131, 1979.
Ciresilor 19
Daicoviciu 2
Konkoly Thege Miklos 15-17