When an aperture is aligned to the winter solstice, it is also aligned to avoid light the rest of the year. An early attempt at air conditioning? Keep the heat out.

We jump so quickly to religious significance.

Why not just point the door to the north if the goal was to keep the sun out?

In Scandinavia we have no heat to anor condition out.

> When an aperture is aligned to the winter solstice, it is also aligned to avoid light the rest of the year. An early attempt at air conditioning?

In the northern latitudes, doubtful. It would be cool enough year round.