Cocev Kamen Explained

Cocev Kamen
Native Name:Цоцев Камен
Alternate Name:Tsote’s Stone
Map Type:North Macedonia
Map Alt:Cocev Kamen Macedonia
Relief:yes
Coordinates:42.09°N 21.9894°W
Location:Kratovo Municipality, North Macedonia
Region:Northeastern Statistical Region
Type:cave, rock shelter
Height:481m (1,578feet)
Material:Igneous rock
Condition:3

Cocev Kamen is a hilltop cave site of volcanic origin near the town of Kratovo in the north-east of North Macedonia. Objects (bone fossils) discovered near the cave suggest human presence since the Paleolithic. Authors agree that the site served as a gathering point for sacrificial rituals from the Neolithic, during the Bronze Age, throughout antiquity until the Middle Ages as clarified by an abundance of pottery shards, stone (flint) tools and bone fragments unearthed from the surrounding areas. Several caves and rock shelters are decorated with red figurative art work. Comparison with similar sites in Bulgaria and Italy suggests that the paintings are indeed prehistoric.[1]

Debated remains the notion that Cocev Kamen has also been used as an (astronomical) observatory.[2] "There are visible interventions on the stone surface everywhere, in the form of stairs, pools, thrones, and one big cave was completely rearranged, with a large part of its wall ripped off to make a fenced platform looking at the nearby hill, which contains big natural stones..." These alterations served ceremonial purposes during offerings to fertility deities.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The prehistoric and protohistoric site of Cocev Kamen . Haemus . August 4, 2016 .
  2. Web site: Cocev Kamen - Cave or Rock Shelter in Macedonia (Fyrom) . megalithic co . November 23, 2011 . August 4, 2016 .
  3. Web site: Cocev Kamen (Tsotse’s Stone), the excavation site which joins the grounds for sacrificial rituals, a temple, painted rock art and a prehistoric observatory . Scribd . August 4, 2016 .