Megalithic Gate of Equinox
Story by Sakon Nakhon Civilization Club
In a remote corner of Sakon Nakhon Province northeast of Thailand about 600 kilometers from Bangkok, there is a prehistoric painting believed to be 3,000 – 3,500 years old hidden under the rock shelter and one of the pictures resemble a gate. Upon visiting this site on 21stNovember 2023 the team of Sakon Nakhon Civilization Club has come up with question ….. why the ancient ancestors draw picture of gate? …… are they conveying some kind of message? More over the picture is upside down so we have to laydown on our back to see it.
According to the suggestion of local villagers our team proceed 1.2 Km up the mountain to see a giant rock cave of tunnel shape located on the mountain cliff named Phu Pha Kam +360 m above sea level (Lat N 16 57 29.26 Lon E 104 17 23.94). Geologically speaking this cave might be created by collapsing of rock caused by earth quake million years ago. The cave was well known for long time as a natural rock formation by local community.
Map of Thailand showing Sakon Nakhon Province in the northeast region 600 Km from Bangkok
The prehistoric paint found under this rock shelter
.jpeg)
Unfortunately, observers have to lay down on the back to see the paints on the ceiling of shelter
.jpeg)
However, archaeologist has no clear explanation why the prehistoric paints are here under the shelter and what is the meaning
.jpeg)
one of the paints is U-shape with rectangular frame
When turn upside down it looks like a gate
Comparing the drawing with megalithic gate located on the mountain 1.2 km away
The cave is located on the mountain cliff called Phu Pha Kam and about 1.2 Km from prehistoric paints
The cave is on southside cliff of Phu Pha Kam Mountain
Location of the cave just fit in with astronomical events called "equinox", where sunrise and sunset can be seen clearly
How this gate is formed?
What we know is ....... all these rock are "sandstone" resulted from process of sedimentation in mesozoic era between 65 - 250 million years ago and continued tectonic change until cenozoic era the last 66 million years.
originally this rock has a pillar-shape
Tilted toward the cliff
Demonstration how the gate-like cave is formed by collapsing of
the upper portion of rock due to earthquake ...... unfortunately we don't know when it has occured
Team of archaeologist from The Department of Fine Art had visited this site in December 2023 and found evidences of prehistoric settlement …… broken earthen jar and a group of unknown symbols of incised lines on the rock, that’s means our ancestors must be here and use it for shelter.
Late afternoon on 21st November 2023, The Sakon Nakhon Civilization Team had conducted a scientific survey at the site and came up with interesting results as followings
1.The cave is aligned exactly East – West at azimuth 90 and 270,
2.The site is located on the narrow path of southern cliff of mountain called “Phu Pha Kam” (ภูผาขาม) at +360 m. above sea level, so the sunrise and sunset on equinox can be clearly seen
3.The photo of descending sunset at late afternoon 15:30 on 21stNovember 2023 is very useful for astronomical prediction of sun path of vernal equinox sunset on 21st March 2024
4.The Megalithic cave has measurement of 3 m wide 6.70 m. high and 10.5 m long
Electronic GPS and magnetic compass showing the same result of equinox alignment of the cave at Azimuth 90 and Azimuth 270
Mr Sansonthi Boonyothayan Earthlogist and president of the Sakon Nakhon Civilization Club pointing his finger at the east gate …. “Sunrise on spring equinox 21st March 2024 is here”
The photo of afternoon sunset at 15:30 on 21st November 2023
The late afternoon descending sunset at 15:30 on 21st November 2023 is very useful for calculation of the coming sun path of vernal equinox on 21st March 2024
Measurement of the cave
Here comes …… Vernal Equinox 21st March 2024
Question …… What is equinox?
Answer ……... Is a moment in time when the Sun crosses the Earth's equator, which is to say, appears directly above the equator, rather than north or south of the equator. On the day of the equinox, the Sun appears to rise "due east" and set "due west". This occurs twice each year, around 21 March and 23 September.
The Sakon Nakhon Civilization Team led by Mr Woravit Tongsiri alias Reshi Ake Ammatah visited the site again to observe sunrise and sunset of vernal equinox and this is what he and his team had witnessed.
The first sunray of spring equinox pierce through the center of east gate and illuminates the cave. Buddhist Abbot of Phu Pha Kam Temple and Mr Woravit are performing meditation while receiving sacred power of the Mighty Sun God
Sunrise at center of the east gate
Conducting an astronomical experiment
Shadow Plot is a simple technique to identify the line of E – W by using a stick to cast shadow at the early morning sunrise on equinox.
The early sunlight on equinox pierce directly toward the west
By placing small gravels along the shadow results in a straight-line that pointing to the sun
Sunset at center of the west gate
Special feature of the cave that aligned to due east – due west (Az 90 – Az 270) with the opening at both sides, hence sunrise and sunset can be seen on the same day
sunrise and sunset are seen at the center of cave on the same day
Demonstrating sunrise and sunset on equinox are in straight-line E - W (Az 90 - Az 270)
If the cave is aligned toward northeast at azimuth 85 you will not see sunrise and sunset on equinox
The cave that aligned to northeast at azimuth 85 will observe sunrise on 4 April and 9 September, as well as sunset on 7 March and 6 October.jpeg)
...... but not on equinox
.jpeg)
Since the cave is 3 m. wide and 10.5 m. long, you can see the "pre and post equinox sunrise ans sunset" almost the whole month starting from 9th March to 4th April ....... so you have plenty of days for festival
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
The prehistoric ancestors must have seen the equinox and were wondering what had happening?
With archeological evidences of the prehistoric earthen jar and group of incised line on the rock. That’s means this place was a settlement of ancient community, obviously they must have seen the phenomena of equinoctial sunrise and sunset following by season changes.
They might come up with a conclusion of solar calendar indicating spring to summer and fall to winter. Since they are hunting and gathering culture, solar calendar is a great tool for foods collection and preservation for the rainy day.
.jpeg)
There are physical evidences of prehistorical settlement at this site
The prehistoric incised lines on the rock are observed by the archaeologist from Department of Fine Art
.jpeg)
Group of incised lines and a piece of ancient earthen jar found near the Phu Phan Kam Site
Vernal Equinox ....... means spring season
First sunrise of the spring season
at Phu Pha Kam Mountain
Question ……. The Phu Pha Kam Megalithic Gate of Equinox in Sakon Nakhon Thailand …… can be recognized as a Wonder of The World ……. Natural Equinox Cave with Prehistoric Background?
Now in Google ....... Keyword "equinox cave"
What about come up with a story
This heavenly giant did some misbehave with his fellow wife so God punished him by sending to Earth for watching and safeguard the sunrise and sunset during "equinox". Another God's command is he will remain doing this job until some sacred person come to rescue by taking his place. So far he had been sitting here for many million years ....... nobody is coming to save him. He was wishing and waiting for someone to show helping hands so he can get back home ....... can you be the one! ...... make sure you must be a sacred person!
The giant with sad face keep on watching this amazing equinox ........ million years ago
Let’s look at an example of famous natural equinox cave ……. The Crack Cave at Colorado USA
Comparing Crack Cave Colorado USA V/S Megalithic gate of Equinox Sakon Nakhon Thailand
Durdle Door The UNESCO World Heritage in UK and Megalithic Gate of Equiox in Thailand
Mr.Nattawat Wiriyanapaporn Governor of Sakon Nakhon Province visited the site on 20 March 2024 ..... he is the first high rank official that paid attention to this remoted area of prehistorical settlement and newly found astronomical cave.
Outstanding features of The Megalithic Gate of Equinox
1. Natural rock formation created in mesozoic era 65 - 250 million years old with an astronomical alignment called "Equinox" (Azimuth 90)
2. Equinoctial Sunrise and Sunset of both vernal and autumnal equinox can be seen on the same day, in fact this events can be observed for several days (vernal equinox 9 March - 4 April and autumnal equinox 13 September - 3 October)
3. The prehistoric ancestors must have seen these astronomical events that connecting to seasonal changes, that's why we found an ancient drawing of "gate-like picture" under the rock-shelter in the neigboring area
4. Located on the mountain cliff at +360 m. from sea level with nice natural scenario
5. Fit very well with the adventure tourism like "trecking and hiking"
6. Amazing story behind of local legend of the "Equinox Gate and the Giant Stone-Head"
Thank You for your interest ...... If you have any question please feel free to contact Mr.Sansonthi Boonyothayan President of Sakon Nakhon Civilization Club Thailand ..... sansonthi@gmail.com or Facebook: Sansonthi Boonyothatyan
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
