21
as writing. He is possibly right, although the preference for the time midway instead
of the astronomical equinox leaves doors open for other possibilities.
A discussion on the equinox in the pre-Hispanic culture of the Canary Islands
may follow the same line of argument. Research in Grand Canary has shown that
the equinox was an important milestone in the time-keeping system of the ancient
Canarians as was reflected in the conquest chronicles and the archaeological record
(Esteban, Belmonte, Schlueter, & González, 1996, 1997). Considering the Amazigh
ancestry of these populations this may have important connections to the origin of
these populations (Belmonte, Perera Betancor, & González-García, 2019). A Roman
influence (see below) has been advocated due to the early Roman presence in
Proconsular Africa after the defeat of Carthage in 146 BC, although an earlier Punic
influence cannot at all be discarded.
The term ‘equinox’ is clearly used in the chronicles, but it is ignored what this
concept meant for the pre-Hispanic society. The work for preparation of the
UNESCO candidacy of ‘Risco Caído and the sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria
Cultural Landscape’ as a World Heritage site (Belmonte et al., 2018) did not clarify
the situation despite Clive’s role as a scientific advisor of the team was fundamental
on the discussion. Of the sites within the property, the sanctuary at Roque Bentayga
may suggest an astronomical equinox relationship (Fig. 8, see also Esteban et al.,
1996), although the day midway between the solstices—other important time-marks
of their calendar—cannot be discarded as proven by other sites in the island (Esteban
et al., 1997). However, the astronomical phenomenology present at Cave 6 in Risco
Caído indicates that the first and last days when sunlight enters the cave though a
very peculiar oculus are—with the margin of a day—March 19 and September 25 in
Fig. 7 Sunrise at the Iberian sanctuary of El Amarejo (September 21st 2004 when the Sun had a
declination of 0°9′ (i.e., c. true equinox): The sun climbs the cliff of Montaña Chinar. This would
be the most accurate ‘equinoctial’ marker for Iberian sanctuaries. Adapted from Esteban (2016).
Courtesy of César Esteban
What Equinox?
as writing. He is possibly right, although the preference for the time midway instead
of the astronomical equinox leaves doors open for other possibilities.
A discussion on the equinox in the pre-Hispanic culture of the Canary Islands
may follow the same line of argument. Research in Grand Canary has shown that
the equinox was an important milestone in the time-keeping system of the ancient
Canarians as was reflected in the conquest chronicles and the archaeological record
(Esteban, Belmonte, Schlueter, & González, 1996, 1997). Considering the Amazigh
ancestry of these populations this may have important connections to the origin of
these populations (Belmonte, Perera Betancor, & González-García, 2019). A Roman
influence (see below) has been advocated due to the early Roman presence in
Proconsular Africa after the defeat of Carthage in 146 BC, although an earlier Punic
influence cannot at all be discarded.
The term ‘equinox’ is clearly used in the chronicles, but it is ignored what this
concept meant for the pre-Hispanic society. The work for preparation of the
UNESCO candidacy of ‘Risco Caído and the sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria
Cultural Landscape’ as a World Heritage site (Belmonte et al., 2018) did not clarify
the situation despite Clive’s role as a scientific advisor of the team was fundamental
on the discussion. Of the sites within the property, the sanctuary at Roque Bentayga
may suggest an astronomical equinox relationship (Fig. 8, see also Esteban et al.,
1996), although the day midway between the solstices—other important time-marks
of their calendar—cannot be discarded as proven by other sites in the island (Esteban
et al., 1997). However, the astronomical phenomenology present at Cave 6 in Risco
Caído indicates that the first and last days when sunlight enters the cave though a
very peculiar oculus are—with the margin of a day—March 19 and September 25 in
Fig. 7 Sunrise at the Iberian sanctuary of El Amarejo (September 21st 2004 when the Sun had a
declination of 0°9′ (i.e., c. true equinox): The sun climbs the cliff of Montaña Chinar. This would
be the most accurate ‘equinoctial’ marker for Iberian sanctuaries. Adapted from Esteban (2016).
Courtesy of César Esteban
What Equinox?