Astronomy and Landscape in Central LB age Anatolia

The possible astronomical or topographical orientations of the Hittite monuments of the Bronze Age have remained unexplored until recently. This would provide us with an important insight into how the temporality and sacred spaces was imprinted in the

landscape by this culture. The analysis of a statistically significant sample of Hittite

temples -and a few monumental gates- demonstrates that ancient Hittite monuments were not randomly orientated as previously argued. On the contrary, there were well-defined patterns of orientation that could be interpreted within the context of Hittite culture and religion. This is the first intensive fieldwork dedicated to

archaeoastronomical studies of the Hittite culture. Our data confirm the textual evidence and show the relevance of solstitial and ?equinoctial? orientations that could be explained within the context of ancient Hittite solar cult necessities. Indeed, Hattusha has shown a striking and highly interesting astronomical and topographical landscape, where potential relationships between astronomical phenomena, built structures such as temples and monumental gates, and different elements of the local landscape have been illustrated. Our intention has been to put archaeoastronomy on the correct footing it deserves within Hittitological studies.