Древние астрономические обсерватории в Болгарии

In this paper we consider several types of monuments, which yield evidence for the astronomical practices and beliefs of peoples from the Eneolithic (Chalcolithic) and later epochs – Belintash, Tatul, Tangarduk Kaya, Harman Kaya, Kovil, and Parmakla Kaya in East Rhodopes, Tsarevi Porti in West Rhodopes, Zaychi Vruh (Cabyle) and Buzovgrad in the Sredna Gora mountain, Markov kamak in the Rila mountain, and Lilyach in the Konyavska mountain. Discussing these specific monuments, we show how astronomy was woven into everyday and spiritual life, revealing insights into people’s concepts of space and time. These monuments, where positional systems for Sun observations are discovered, we call ancient astronomical observatories.