451
1 INTRODUCTION
NorthernlabyrinthscanbefoundinEngland,Iceland,
Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia and
Russia. They are located on isles, peninsulas, near
harbors and in river mouths. Their picture is
complicated but organized. In terms of structure,
there are unispiral, bispiral, concentric and radial
types. In terms of outer shape: circles, ovals, rarely
squares (Yeliseyev, 1883; Vinogradov, 1927; Guri
na,
1948;Kuratov,2008;Kern,2000).
Hypotheses about the designation of stone
labyrinths can be divided intotwogroups:calendar
andnon‐calendar.Itshouldbenotedthatdespiteall
thediversityoffactsofnon‐calendaruse,mostpartof
themisoftenassociatedwithti
meandstageoflife.
Hypothesis of calendar designation of labyrinths
are mainly based on the assumption of a direct
projection of the trajectory of space objects on the
Earthʹs surface(HermanWirth, Daniel Svyatskiy) or
considerpatternoflabyrinthasarecordoftheresults
ofdirectsightoftheannualva
riationoftheSun(Yuri
Chekmenev). However, direct sight cannot explain
the technology for using the labyrinth: 1) it is
impossible to explain the quantitative ratios of the
trajectoryofacelestialobjectanditsreflectioninthe
stone pattern; 2)itis even more difficulttoimagine
the use of the pa
ttern‐with a diameter of 20‐30
meters, it is impossibleʺto readʺ from the human
height;3)theproblemofmonitoringthetrajectoryof
the sun is that bright light dazzles eyes, just after
sunriseitsmovementtakesofffromlandmarks.
Theproposedconceptofthelabyrint
h‐gnomon–a
toolofbacksightofthesun‐fromtheshadowsetin
thecenteroftheobject,opensthepossibilityofitsuse
as a sundial compass and calendar (Paranin &
Paranina2009;Paranina&Paranin2009a,2009b,2014,
2015, 2016; Paranina2009, 2010, 2011ab
, 2012abc,
2013,2014,2016).Theshadowoftheobjectiseasyto
observe, record, measure, and its movement reflects
and a form‐encodes all the movements of the sun
andisconsistentwiththepositionoftheelementsof
The Research o
f
Northern Labyrinths as Navigation
Network Elements
A.N.Paranina&R.Paranin
HerzenStatePedagogicalUniversity,St‐Petersburg,Russia
ABSTRACT:Theauthorsofthearticleconsiderthestonelabyrinthsassolarcalendars.Inthecenterofthese
structuresthereareusuallyalreadyinstalledgnomons–verticalobjectsthatgiveshade.Middayshadowpoints
tonorth,andthechangeofitslengthduringayeariscorrelatedwiththediameterofthearcsofthelabyrinth.
Pointsofsunrise/sunsetattheequinoxesandsolsticesareveryoftenfixedinthepa
tternofthelabyrinth, as
wellasthebeginningoftheannualcycle.Ingeneral,patternsoflabyrinthsareofthesametype,thedifferences
reflect the regional charact
eristics of illumination, the differences in latitude and topography (shape of the
horizon).Theuniformityofthetechnologyandthelocationonthewaterwaysgiveanopportunitytoconsider
stonelabyrinthsasancientelementsoflocalandregionalnavigationnetworks.
http://www.transnav.eu
the International Journal
on Marine Navigation
and Safety of Sea Transportation
Volume 10
Number 3
September 2016
DOI:10.12716/1001.10.03.10
452
the structure of the labyrinth; landscape orientation
onthehorizon(mountains, valleys)arenotnecessary,
on the contrary, water environment is the optimal
without creating distortions of azimuths of
sunrise/sunset(theirnormallocationisontheisland
orcape).
Authorʹs concept of a labyrinth‐gnomon
technology solves the problem
of the calendar use,
andisconsistentwithallelementsofawiderangeof
symbolic interpretation of the signs of the labyrinth
andLabrys.
The concept was proved and developed in the
study of images of labyrinths on rocks of the
Caucasus and Portugal (Israpilov, 2003; Hetagurov
2016; J.L.
Galovart, 2012). In particular, the dates
markedbythearcsofthelabyrinthofNorthOssetia
were in line with national economic calendar
(Hetagurov,2016).
2 OBJECTSANDMETHODS
Theobjectsofstudywerethemonumentsofancient
materialcultureofEuropeanRussia(stonelabyrinths,
petroglyphsorrockcarvingsandetc.).
From2009 to
2013theobjectslocatedoncoastoftheWhiteSeaare
investigated: in the archipelago of Kuzova, in the
archipelago Solovki, in the gulf Kandalaksha, in the
gulf Keretsky, in the mouth of the river Vyg and of
theriverUmba(Fig.1‐7)
The applied field
research methods (survey,
description,observation,workwithmaps)andEarth
remotesensing,aswellasmethodsofmathematical,
conceptual modeling and mapping. Theoretical
analysis is based on the theory of reflection and
systemic and chorological approach, methodological
statements of historical geography by V.I. Paranin
(Paranin1990,1998;Paranina,2012c).
Figure1.Areaofresearch‐coastoftheWhiteSea.
Figure2.LabyrinthinthearchipelagoofKuzova
Figure3.LabyrinthNo.1inthearchipelagoSolovki
Figure4.Keretskylabyrinth, islandKrasanajaLuda
Figure5.LabyrinthinthegulfKandalaksha
453
Figure6.LabyrinthnearthemouthoftheriverUmba
Instrumentallabyrinthsfunctionscanbesetonthe
basisofthecorrespondence betweentheelements of
the spatial structure and the parameters of the
lighting mode (altitude and azimuth of the sun).
Calculating the height and installation space of the
gnomon,inwhichtheshadowendpositionscoincide
with inner and
outer diameters of the arcs of the
labyrinth,madeusingtheoriginalequation(1)based
on the trigonometric identity (H = tgα• A). Both
partsof theequationsgiveoneresult‐theheight of
thegnomonanddescribetherelationshipoftheangle
ofincidenceofsunlightandthe
lengthoftheshadow
ofαA:left‐forsummer,right‐forthewinter.Bythe
distance measured from the center to the extreme
edgesofthelabyrinth(inthisexample‐1mand5.5
m), added an amendmentʹs, allowing to clarify its
positioninthecentraladdition:
tg48,47(1
+х)=tg4,97(5,5+ х) (1)
Thegreatestnumberoffunctions (compass,clock,
calendar) perform bi‐spiral labyrinths, symmetric
withrespecttothemeridian.Inotheraspects,solstice,
equinox, and other dates are determined by the
azimuthofsunrise/sunset.
Labyrinths research algorithm includes the
following
steps: 1. The use of standard methods of
description (measurement, comparison); 2.
characteristics of the landscape (including the
evolution of the climatic conditions during the
Holocene geological and geomorphological features,
including the dominant system in the fracturing of
rocks and stretch lineaments‐linear tectonic
structures that are reflected in the landscape);
3.
astronomical and calendar calculations of
paleoastronomical azimuthsof sunrise / sunsets and
themoon(toaccountfordifferences of physicaland
astronomicalhorizon),theheightofthegnomonofa
sundial‐calendar and regulations midday shade
seasonal (for geographical coordinates of the
property);4.Theestablishmentofthecorrelations
of
the spatial characteristics of the object, of the
landscape and important astronomical figures
recordedatthispoint;5.comparisonofinstrumental
featuresofobjectwithlocalandregionallifesupport
tasksindifferenthistoricalera(includingthelocation
of the object in the analysis of the transport
communicationssystem).
Comprehensive
analysisofthepurposeanduseof
labyrinths also includes the cultural context
(neighboring archaeological sites, toponymy,
linguistics,mythology,folktraditions).
3 RESULTSANDDISCUSSION
Forinterpretationofanorthernlabyrinththegnomon
‐ the elementary astronomical tool was used. The
shadowofagnomoncodesatrajectoryofmovement
of
theSunonafirmament.In2009theauthorsproved
that drawing of a labyrinth fixes astronomically
significant points: 1) the provision of a midday
shadow in days of winter and summer solstice
correspondstoextremearchesofspirals,2)theends
ofspiralscorrespondtoazimuthsofrisings/calling,3)
theentrancetoalabyrinthnotesthebeginningofan
annualcycle(inanequinoxorasolstice).
Thesketchofashadowofagnomonindaysgives
the schedule similar to a pitchfork, horns, wings, a
fishtail.Theshadowscheduleinayearfillsthespace
whoseshape
formrepresentslabris‐abilateraltwo‐
hornedaxeofgodoflight.
Figure7.LabyrinthNo.1,thetopographicalplan
(Skvortsov1990).
0
2
4
6
8
10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Figure8.Gnomonandgeometryofitsshadowsperday.
Figure9. Geometry of shadows per year
(Paranina2010).
The basic units of the information model of the
world (IMW) reveal different aspects and levels of
modeling of space‐time: the first basic level‐the
navigation, creates a spatial and conceptual
454
frameworkof IMW; second modeling level‐reflects
semiotic, linguistic, cartographic, toponymic,
mythological units that encode, duplicate and
replicate vital navigational information; and the
crown of the model‐a tradition that serves as the
selection and storage of proven information to
maintain the continuity of Life, including the
Renaissance. Basic processes
and phenomena form
the reference benchmarks of fundamental concepts,
the meaning of which is priceless, and therefore
sacred, and their shape is less exposed to other
transformation. Structure flow, which maintained
sustainabilityofthismodelthroughoutthehistoryof
our civilization, was a continuous practical use of
sunlight to ensure
the order (Paranina2010, 2011,
2012a,2012b,2013,2014).
Figure10. The structure of the information model of the
world–navigationconcept(Paranina2014).
4 NORTHERNLABYRINTHSASNAVIGATION
NETWORK
Stonelabyrinthsarelocated,asarule,onaplotofsea
coast estuaries (at the source of fresh water)‐itʹs
convenient for rest and orientation, waiting for the
desireddateofastronomicalcalendar,inwhichmarks
ofimportantphenologicaleventsofthearea
(cyclesof
fishing animals, climate and hydrological mode,
lighting)canbemade.
Keyelementsofthepicturecalendararediameters
of arcs and azimuths of entrance and end spirals‐
reflect the effect of two factors: the latitude and
discrepanciesofphysical horizon(surfacerelief)with
theastronomicalhorizon.
Polar regions
differ from moderate latitudes in
termsofazimuthsofsunrise/sunsetinthesolsticethat
vary considerably in adjacent parallel (Table 1). If
latitudes 40‐50º rise at the summersolstice and shift
byonly6.92º,andatlatitudesof50‐60ºonly twice –
13.42 º, then advancing further at only
5º (60‐65º) to
thenorth‐riseshiftsat17.37º,andlatitudinalrangeof
1º 33” (65º‐66º 33”, i.e. B. Zayatsky Island to the
ArcticCircle)‐to20.03º.Itisobviousthatplanetary
space conditions of astronomical observations in the
polar latitudes become the main reason for specific
featuresofdrawings.
The distorting influence of the physical horizon
lineonmeasurementofastronomicalazimuthscanbe
levelled by locating the instrument on the beach,
whose calm surface coincides with the astronomical
horizon, this explains the location of the labyrinth
nearwater.Thisfactpartlyexplainstheabundanceof
labyrinths
inasmallareaoftheBigZayatskyIsland
(more than 30 items on 1.25 km²): firstly, the
labyrinthsarelocatedon parts of the shore, open to
different sectors of the horizon, which provides
accurate measurements for different astronomical
datesandvariousastronomicalobjects(objectsinthe
light of
the moon cast a shadow as well); secondly,
theconstructionofnewlabyrinthsisassociatedwith
the retreat of the shoreline; thirdly, arranged
compactlyenough,theyformalocalnetwork.
Anequally important reason for the construction
of new labyrinths is variability of subpolar latitudes
ofastronomical targets not only in
spacebut also in
time‐herethe changeinslopeoftheEarthʹsaxisis
most visible; being observed according to
displacement of the position of the Arctic Circle at
other latitudes, these changes are not as dramatic
(Tab. 1). The table shows that 5,000 years ago, the
azimuth
ofthesummersolstice(SS)wassignificantly
less than modern, therefore, the line of the Arctic
Circlewaslocatedcloser.
Table1. Dynamics of astronomically significant directions
inspaceandtime
_______________________________________________
N(º)20103000BC
WS*,22.12SS**,22.06 WS,07.01 SS,02.08
_______________________________________________
65 16020,03165,31 15,46
60 142,86 37,40144,82 35,48
50 128,41 51,82129,55 50,71
40 121,29 58,74122,25 57,81
30 117,39 62,74118,20 61,97
20 115,05 64,97115,83 64,29
10 113,85 66,19114,50 65,56
0 113,44 66,56114,09 65,91
_______________________________________________
*WS‐wintersolstice;
**SS‐summersolstice.
Most labyrinths are located in the most dynamic
area approximately from latitude 57° to 66° 33”,
which primarily determines the differences in their
pattern.
At the latitude of the Arctic Circle azimuths of
solstices coincide with the meridian, and the
boundaries of the astronomical seasons are in the
shape of
direct cross. In some cases the center
correspondingtothepolarday,ismarkedbyaclosed
circleorspiral,asinalabyrinthinIceland.
NorthoftheArcticCircle, only equinoxes can be
reliablydeterminedbyazimuthofsunrise/sunset.To
dividetheyearintoperiodsbetweenthepola rnight
and polar day, you can use the azimuths of
sunrise/sunset,which,dependingonlatitude,moreor
lessrapidlymoveintherangeof0°+/‐180°.Whenthe
sundoesnotsetover the horizon, length of midday
shade‐diameters of arcs‐become the only way to
dividetimeinto
days.
For systematic studies of the structure and
evolution of the navigation network labyrinths of
NorthernEuropeitis necessary to create a database
withtheindication:1.geographicalcoordinatesofthe
center points of labyrinths; 2. The true (geographic)
entrance azimuths as well as directions to the point
TRADITION
Language Semiotics Myth
NAVIGATION
455
and linear drawing elements; 3. The values of the
deflecting effect of the physical horizon (obtained
usingcircularpanorama);4,ageofthereliefelements
(coastalterraces), onwhichtherearemazes;5.dating
maze,derivedfrompaleoastronomicalcalculations.
ByM.Milankovitch,tilttheEarthʹsaxis of41,000
years
variesfrom22,1ºto24,5º(Fig.11),whichleads
totheboundariesoflightingand climatechange. At
thesametime,theArcticCircleisshiftedinarange
from67º54ʹto65º30ʹ.
Figure11. Scheme of change in the position of the tropics
and the polar circles with the angle of inclination of the
ecliptic(Kalesnik1970).
According to the orientation of the Egyptian
temples,calendars,tilttheEarthʹsaxiscouldbe25,2º,
whichcorrespondstothepositionoftheArcticCircle
at64º48ʹ.Allpossiblepositionsofthenorthernpola r
circlemarkedonthesatelliteimage(Fig.12).
Figure12.TheboundariesoftiltoftheArcticCircle.
GiventhedynamicsoftheArcticCircle,inthearea
of the labyrinths of Northern Europe (. Figure 13),
there are three groups of objects: 1. Transpolar‐
located above the possible position of the Arctic
Circle; 2. Circumpolar‐near the modern and the
other possible positions of the Arctic Circle; 3.
labyrinths of the temperate zone. It is evident that
onlyafewobjectsarelocatedintheArctic,labyrinths
of the White Sea are in the eastern area of the
circumpolargroup,andthelargestgroup‐labyrinths
theBalticSea,locatedinthenorthoftemperatelight
zone,themost
populatedandconvenientforthesolar
navigation.
Figure13.Theareaofnorthernlabyrinths(Kern2000)
Convenienceandtraditionofobservingthesunin
themiddlelatitudesof50to66ºNwerementionedin
differentsources.Accordingtoethnographicresearch
in Poland, the gnomon is long and widely used in
rural areas (Stomma 1981). A number of the
descriptionsofclocksproducedinXIV‐XVcentury
in
Poland. In the XVII century Hevelius of Gdansk
designed pocket sundial. Polish scientists read
gnomonymy courses in European universities:
Bologna,Budapest(Sundial...1990).
Experience of evolutionary geography and study
about the rhythm of natural processes are of great
importance for the development of research of
labyrinths and other
navigation instruments
(Maksimov,2000).
5 CONCLUSIONS
Thesimplestastronomicaltools–Gnomon,allowsto
readpatternofnorthernlabyrinthasasolarcalendar.
Phenomenaofpolardaysandwhitenightscontribute
todevelopmentofsolarnavigationinthenorth.
LabyrinthsandothermegalithicsitesinNorthern
Europeshouldbeconsideredas
elementsoflocaland
regional navigation networks. This approach will
provide: 1. an integral understanding of the
technology of solar navigation in its space and time
dynamics; 2. a more precise dating of labyrinths,
usingastronomicalcriteria;3.additionalinformation
abouttherhythmofnaturalprocesses.
456
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