Sacred stones: The ancient wonders of BeglikTash

A general view of BeglikTash

By User:Vmenkov - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11792347

Nestled in Strandzha mountain, southeastern Bulgaria, on a plateau overlooking the Black Sea, lies BeglikTash, a mysterious and ancient megalithic site that has captured the imagination of archaeologists and historians alike. A place as captivating, as it is mysterious, BeglikTash is a Thracian sanctuary that dates back to the 14th century BCE. This enigmatic site, steeped in history and mythology, offers a fascinating glimpse into the spiritual life of the Thracians.

Discovery

BeglikTash remained hidden from the modern world until the early 20th century, but its excavation was initiated in 2001, by a team of Bulgarian archaeologists led by Dr. Tsonya Drazheva. The dense vegetation that covered the area had kept it largely intact, preserving its secrets for millennia. Excavations revealed a complex of massive stone structures, arranged in a circular pattern. The site is thought to have been used for religious ceremonies and astronomical observations, with many of the stones aligned to the solstices and equinoxes.

During the initial excavation, many artifacts were discovered: pottery, stone tools and weapons, flints, coins, etc., which prove that the sanctuary was used since the middle of the second millennium BC and was abandoned at the beginning of the fourth century AD. The lack of later construction on it has preserved the cultural layers and sacred elements in their original form. It is difficult to date the sanctuary unambiguously, however, due to the huge scale of its territory. It is highly probable that the sacred site is of much earlier dating.

The Sacred Stones

The centerpiece of BeglikTash is a large, flat stone known as the "Marriage stone," where it is believed the Thracian priests conducted religious rituals. But what was the significance of those rituals?

Based on the evidence of Nestinaric rituals that still exist today and the obvious artificial carvings on most of the megalithic boulders in the vicinity, Drazheva concluded early in her archaeological research that the sanctuary served as the scene of the mysterious rituals of Thracian Orphism. Her thesis is that it is a sanctuary associated with the oldest cult of the Mother Goddess and the Sun God in the phases of their marriage.

The intriguing "Marriage Stone" consists of a pair of stones thought to symbolize the union of the Sun God and the Great Mother Goddess. The “Marriage Stone” is surrounded by several other stones, that seem to stand as sentinels, as if placed to guard the sacred ritual from the eyes of the unworthy.

Initiation Rituals: A Passage of Faith

Another notable feature is the "Labyrinth," narrow passages formed by upright stones, which are believed to have been used as a test of faith for young initiates. The stones' arrangement suggests a deliberate design, with hidden meanings and symbols waiting to be deciphered. The entire site is imbued with a sense of the sacred, a place where the boundaries between the earthly and the divine seemed to blur.

The experience of passing through the Labyrinth was likely a symbolic journey, which aims to determine the initiate’s spiritual aspirations. One passage is considered to point to spiritual searches and musings, and the other to the material and pragmatic side of life.

It is also speculated that the Labyrinth may have been a place where initiates sought communion with the gods. The challenging journey through the stone passageway might have represented a pilgrimage of sorts, where the initiate, stripped of worldly distractions, could focus solely on spiritual matters. At the journey's end, having navigated the Labyrinth, they would have reached a place of greater understanding and connection with the divine.

Another interesting feature, related to initiation rituals, is the stone crevice. This crevice is a primeval telescope, oriented to the direction north-south. It was used for careful observations of the star Vega from the Lyre constellation. Through the tight crevice, associated with the underworld realm of Hades, the chosen ones would undertake a challenge in the example of the hero Orpheus. According to myth, Orpheus is one of the few, who managed to enter the Underworld and return, albeit with the help of the divine. Such crossings are a well-known ritualistic challenge to test the qualities of the initiates.

Stones and stars: cosmic alignments

Sundial - a series of 16 round flat stones, used for counting the time. The year was separated into 16 months, each month containing 22 to 24 days. The stones were arranged in such shape, that the shadow of the main altar would fall over the six smaller stones north of it, and according to the angle, they would know the time of the day, separated into six main parts. 

BeglikTash is not just a site of religious significance; it also serves as an ancient observatory, where the Thracians carefully aligned certain stones with key celestial events. This alignment reveals the Thracians' sophisticated understanding of astronomy and their deep reverence for the cycles of nature.

The Throne of the Sun, for example, is positioned in such a way that it captures the first rays of the sun at the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. On this day, the sun rises directly over a specific stone and illuminates the Throne, symbolizing the life-giving power of the sun and its central role in Thracian spirituality. This event likely marked an important ritual day.

Another significant alignment is with the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. At this time, the sun sets in perfect alignment with another set of stones, marking the rebirth of the sun and the gradual return of longer days.

The equinoxes, when day and night are of equal length, also held importance at BeglikTash. Stones aligned to these events suggest that the Thracians used the site to track the changing seasons, which would have been essential for agricultural planning. These alignments demonstrate a harmony between the Thracians' spiritual beliefs and their practical needs, showing how deeply intertwined their religion was with their understanding of the natural world.

Legacy

Today, BeglikTash is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its aura of mystery and its stunning location amidst the rolling hills and forests of the Strandzha Mountain. The site has been carefully preserved, allowing visitors to walk among the ancient stones and imagine what life might have been like for the Thracians who worshiped their Gods at this place thousands of years ago.

In many ways, BeglikTash remains an enigma. The exact nature of the rituals performed here, the meanings behind the stone arrangements, and the full extent of the Thracians' astronomical knowledge are subjects of ongoing studies and debates.

Visitors beware: if you do visit BeglikTash, be prepared to experience a drain in your energy. Many visitors, us included, have noticed, that this place seems to feed off of your energy, which may lead you to experience strong headache, and feel very tired and drained after your visit.