The andesite altar - Dacian Fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains, Sarmizegetusa Regia
WORLD HERITAGE stronghold DACIAN FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF ORASTIA The andesite altar The altar represents the main place on which the most important ritual of the ancient religious practices, the sacrifice, in various forms, was performed. In Sarmizegetusa Regia was established an altar for sacrifices to be offered to the gods, which is unique in the Dacian world due to its monumental proportions and elaborate structure. In the upper side, the only visible part in the ancient times, the altar consisted of a central disc made of andesite, surrounded by 10 "rays" made of massive andesite slabs. Towards. the external edge were placed several small marble pieces, in purposefully made rectangular cavities. The lower side was made of limestone blocks placed on median lines and towards the extremities, while clay was pressed between them. The liquids poured onto the altar's surface during sacrifices dripped through an orifice cut into one of the "rays", then flowed along a drain carved on a limestone block and into a sewer which crossed the sacred area. The altar's plan is completed by a row of 16 blocks having an orientation (north south axis) which led to the hypothesis that the monument also had astronomical functions.
Size: 6720px × 4480px
Photo credit: © Cristian Mihaila / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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