The Bronze Age Peak Sanctuary of Tatićev Kamen

The locality of Tatićev Kamen, near the village of Kokino, (F.Y.) Republic of Macedonia

The sun shining through the marker on the summer solstice fell on the central throne...

The locality of “Tatićev Kamen” is situated on the North-East part of the Republic of Macedonia, near the borders with Serbia and Bulgaria. It has been discovered in 2001 by archaeologist and director of the Kumanovo museum Jovica Stankovski who is in charge of archeological research on the site.

As research has shown, the locality is exceptionally rich in material dating from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age, the majority being material of the Recent Bronze Age.

What makes the locality outstanding, however, is its use as a peak sanctuary. As Mr. Stankovski underlines, many topographic characteristics of the locality “Tatićev Kamen” situated near the village of Kokino confirm its use as a mountain sanctuary or as a sacred mountain. Among these characteristics are: the position of the path leading to the top of the hill (1013 m high) where the locality is situated (it leads up the South-East side of hill, the side lit by the sun), a large radius of visibility from the top of the hill, the absence of an agglomeration of the Bronze Age which could be connected with the material from that period found on the place, as well as other archaeological elements.

That the site was used as a sacred mountain is also shown by the fact that the material was found exclusively within a cult context. Two types of cult holes containing offerings were found:

Natural fissures (holes) in the rocks on the highest part of the hill with human interventions on them creating a circular opening at the upper part of the fissure (small stones and clay were used). After depositing the offerings, these structures were sealed with earth and small stones and delimited with large stones. Chronologically, the archaeological material found in these structures belongs to the entire Bronze Age (20^th – 11^th Century B.C.). In these structure entire or fragmented vessels, ceramic weights, whorls, stone tools, even fragments of clay walls from houses have been found.

The second type of the cult structure are circular stone constructions not unlike small tumuli. They are delimited with larger stones and have a diameter of 0,9 – 2,0 m. Inside, ceramic fragments and several vessels sometimes covered with earth and broken stones were found.

Some of the material shows traces of burning which indicates the ritual use of fire during the ceremonies. The numerous stone hand-mills and pestles for grinding grain as well as fragments of movable ovens lead us to conclude that ritual foods were prepared.

Three figurines were found on this locality: a small female torso, the lower part of a leg with a foot and a small animal.

The upper platform (above) and the central throne seen from the Sun-Marker (below)

The most impressive element on this locality is the row of stone cut seats in front of which there is a stone platform. On those seats, probably local community chiefs used to sit during the execution of the rituals.

All this elements indicate that on this mountain, the cults of the Great Goddess Mother and the Sun took place.

According to some astronomical researches, the movements of some of the celestial bodies as the Sun and the Moon were observed as to determinate the beginning of the harvest. This side of the locality however must be verified by further and more competent research. It should be mentioned that the locality is to be found on the list of archeoastronomical observatories made by NASA.

Numerous artefacts of the Bronze Age, including molds (above)...

Large amounts of pottery...