Kokino – Archaeo-astronomical site in Macedonia

Kokino (Кокино) is the fourth oldest astronomical observatory in the world. It is a complex prehistoric archaeological site (2000 BC), on the territory of Municipality Staro Nagorichane near Kumanovo, Macedonia. It encompasses most of neo-volcanic hill Tatikjev Kamen, at the bottom of which the village is Kokino is located.

Archaeological excavations started in 2001, found numerous archaeological artifacts that belong to the so-called Bronze Age. The findings the early (XIX – XVII century BC) and middle Bronze Age (XVII – XIV century BC) are relatively small in numbers and are dominated by the findings of the Late Bronze Age (XIV – XI century BC). The latest archaeological excavations revealed traces of settlement of the so-called Iron Age (seventh century BC) on the southern slope of the site, thus confirming its use in a time span of over 1200 years.

Some topographic characteristics of the site, such the great visibility from the highest part of the hill, and the wealth of archaeological finds found in structures with ritual nature, confirm its use as a “holy mountain.”

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