Was it sunnier in 1500 BC, or ...?

Question

I saw a programme about a 1500 BC building in Ireland which was so built that the rising sun shone directly into the main cult place on 21st December. Well, I thought, it's not often you get clear skies there at that time of year! So it must have been a lot sunnier when it was built. But then, maybe it was just the prehistoric mindset: like those desert drawings in South America, maybe it wasn't important whether it could be seen by human beings, because it was a god's eye view that counted. What do you think?

Answer 1

You are a VERY astute observer! I've wondered the same thing. The only thing I can think of IS, life was pretty simple back then- and some people must've made it their business to "man" those places (like Stone Henge, in England- for instance) for years on end- until they finally got all the sky alignments right. It must have been a pretty tedious job, waiting year after year for a clear Winter Solstice- but, SOMEONE had to do it... And so it was.

Answer 2

The reason that the building was set so that the sun would shine into a particular place. This was because these people worshipped round the solar year and 21st of December has always been the shortest day in the Northern hemisphere. Thus from the time that the sun rose in this particular direction the days lengthened. Christmas is in December to allow the heathen winter festival to be part of the Christian tradition.

Answer 3

I do not know, but maybe these guys didn't want the sun to shine into their living area.
The sun shines into my lounge every day and I see no meaning in that.