Pásztor Emília (szerk.): A fény régészete. A természetes fény szerepe az őskori ember életében - Bajai dolgozatok 20. (Baja, 2017)
Jaromir Kovarnik: Rondellák. Többcélú közösségi terek, ahol az idő múlását is megfigyelték a késő neolit közösségek
count the sunrise and sunset, a sort of reflection of the journey" of the solar disc in the sky. We can say that the astronomical orientation of the rondels is an expression of Neolithic farmers dialogue with the universe (Kovárník 1997, 31; 2003, 332). Modifying of potential gates as entrances into the rondels is also connected with the role of rondels. In most cases these were simple freely walk-through entrances, even in such a case with inside or outside stretched ends of the ditches, ie. the winglike corridors. However, there are also indications of a more complex construction of the entrances. Two post-holes that are obvious traces of simple wooden gates, were found in the southern and western entrance to the rondel at Tésetice-Kyjovice. The Late Neolithic Farmers were able to determine the equinox and solstice. We assume that the founders of rondels knew the solar calendar. They constantly watched sunrises and sunsets before the construction of the rondels. The eastern entrance of the rondel near Tésetice-Kyjovice was directed after calculations with the astronomer Z. Ministr on March 12, at that time when the Sun rose at the declination—3°18' over the mountain peak Dévin (38 km away, azimuth 95°: Ministr 1999b, 240). The orientation of entrances leads to thinking about the relationship rondels have to the position of the most important and most observable celestial bodies. This issue is devoted in the Czech Republic with attention to e.g. Z. Horskÿ (1986), Z. Ministr (1999a; 1999b) and R. Rajchl (1999; 2001). It has been noted several times that the date of the vernal equinox was of vital importance. To summarize the current knowledge, two dates had fundamental importance in terms of the old farmers (Kovárník 1997, 60-62, 71; 2003, 332-333). The winter solstice was a harbinger of spring and the end of winter hardship, the spring equinox was a real renewal of nature; a time of plowing and sowing, ie. new crops and plenty. Thetimeofthevernalequinox(northern hemisphere) was already very important in ancient Sumer, where it was seen as a beginning of the new year. New Year celebrations were held within two weeks of the date of the vernal equinox. Their culmination was sacred, so called hieros gamos, divine wedding. The sacred marriage took place between the mythical shepherd Dumuzi, who represented the king of a city-state, and the ancient goddess of fertility and love inanna, personified priestess of the local main temple. The holy wedding took place in the shrine at the top of the ziggurat (probably closest to the sun). Every year in this way was blessed next harvest (Matous, ed„ 1978, 34, 46-56; Hruska 1987, 220-224). This period was so highly regarded that it became a recognised aspect of the celebrations of other religions. 103
