Longitude is difficult to establish, latitude easy. To have markers for longitude on the surface of the earth is therefore valuable in order to make good maps, to measure the earth.

Such special markers - standing out for all to see - then of course became sacred. Everything that stands out has a tendency to become sacred.

But also latitude markers were used, for what practical purpose? I guess the answer is that on the sea latitude was very important. To locate islands its latitude was necessary to know, longitude not.

Longitude - earth, latitude - sea.

Latitude is easily measured by the help of sun and stars.

I remember that Hertha von Dechend (Hamlet's Mill) stumbled on the truth - that the origin of myths are the heavenly bodies - after having read '10,000 pages of Polynesian myths' and understood that she understood nothing. Only from a state of ignorance can anything be learned.