The recognition of spirituality between architecture and the sky. The case of megalithic astronomical heritage

Abstract

The duality of architecture, between its material and spiritual dimensions, reveals the symbolic nature of this human activity, which is capable of conveying messages about our condition as beings under the sky and on Earth, and about our understanding of the world. Since the dawn of our species, the contemplation of the sky has reflected a search for a spiritual connection with the cosmos. As such, this essay explores the spiritual dimension in architecture through megalithic astronomical heritage, highlighting how these structures reflect a sense of spirituality resulting from the relationship between architecture and the observation of the celestial vault, the Sun, and the Moon. In this sense, through the methodology presented, we seek to enlighten the reader on how megalithic monuments reflect spiritual and cosmological conceptions, providing a deeper understanding of the interaction between human beings, architecture, and their worldview.