KOKINO

It was discovered in 2001 beneath the mountain top Taticev Kamen with an altitude of 1013 meters. The observatory is shaped into an existing volcanic rock. “Kokino” is a unique, outstandingly well preserved site from the Bronze Age in South East Europe, it is significant as an:
– Ancient observatory and – Holy Mountain
Namely, it has seven markers that were once used for following the Sun and the Moon in order to understand astronomy. Three of the marker cuttings were intended to mark the rising of the Sun in the day of the summer solstice, the autumn and the spring equinox and the winter solstice. The six remaining marker cuttings marked the spots of the rising of the full Moon on the days when it has the smallest and the biggest declination during winter and summer. Especially significant is the stone block with a separate marker cutting on its top. It was made for ritual function with an explicit solar character. In mid-summer (end of July) a sun ray from the sunrise that penetrated through the opening of the stone marker cutting and passed by the right edge of the artificially formed trench, illuminated the ruler alone, who sat on one of the four stone thrones, made especially for rite needs. The illumination of the face of the ruler, in all likelihood, signified ritual union with the Sun God and returning/renewing of his ruling power.