ARCHAEOASTRONOMICAL STUDY ON IBERO-ROMAN SANCTUARY OF TORREPAREDONES (BAENA, CÓRDOBA)
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Abstract
This paper reports an study on the Ibero-Roman sanctuary (temple B, first century AD) in Virtus Iulia (the Turdetanian Ituci), devoted to Caelestis Iuno Lucina, nowadays reconstructed in the Archeological Park of Torreparedones. The mountains of Jabalcuz and Ahíllo, in the eastern skyline, mark the position of the sunrise during the equinox and the winter solstice, respectively. Similar markers have been previously reported for other Iberian sanctuaries. The cella is oriented following the cardinal points. The divinity, a column shaped betilo, and the central pillar stand in the N-S direction. The archeological reconstruction suggests an atmosphere of gloom for cultic practices. A skylight in the roof would have projected a beam of light on the betilo each solar noon. Along the year the lighted band would have moved from top to down the betilo, as shown in the practiced recreation. This extends the set of interpretive possibilities so far considered.