Proto-historic and Historical Atlantic Navigation: Archaeological Evidence from the Azores
Abstract
This paper presents unpublished data on archaeological sites located in the Azores Islands that suggests the possibility of sailing in ancient times in the Atlantic, namely in the Proto-historic and Roman periods. Several structures, identified as hypogea, are reminiscent of Phoenician sanctuaries and, in their architecture, seem to represent the goddess Tanit. In addition, results of the epigraphic analysis of an inscribed stone, are presented wherein the "god of the Dacians" is mentioned, suggesting their presence in the islands during the Roman period. Overall, these preliminary finds raise new questions regarding the pre-Portuguese occupation of the archipelago as well as pre-compass navigation in the Atlantic, possibly using the stars.
- Publication:
-
SEAC 2011 Stars and Stones: Voyages in Archaeoastronomy and Cultural Astronomy
- Pub Date:
- May 2015
- Bibcode:
- 2015ssva.conf...64R
- Keywords:
-
- Atlantic navigation;
- Proto-history;
- Portuguese History;
- Hypogea