Thracian dolmens

The Thracians built structures such as dolmens and false cupola tombs

possibly related to their cults and funerary rites. The orientations of

the Thracian dolmens fulfill two conditions: First, they point toward

mountaintops, where there are often rock sanctuaries; second, the

prevailing orientation of the dolmens is toward southwest. In that

direction, at the time of construction (ca. 1000 BC), one could observe the

setting of the stars a and ß Centauri and the Southern Cross. These stars

formed part of the Centaurus constellation in antiquity. An important

motif of Thracian art, often linked to the Thracian religion, is the figure

of the Horse Rider as an alter ego of the king or the Sun god. Thus, the

dolmen entrance would be facing the setting of Centaurus (perhaps the

Horse Rider) behind a mountain (perhaps the Goddess).