Even back in the 70's they were very sure that Stonehenge was a (fairly sophisticated) astronomical observatory. When I was there for the solstice of 1976 (back when you could actually walk through it, and touch the stones) I picked up a small book entitled, "The Astronomical Significance of Stonehenge", which explained how the structures were used.
Excavations have also shown that the last structures built were expanding on, and making permanent, what had been previously built using less long-lasting things like wooden posts. Posts were originally simply set in the dirt, and as the observatory became bigger, more sophisticated methods like placing the posts on stone foundations were used. The last structures were huge, and intended to be permanent.
Other stone circles are impressive too, like the one at Avebury. I camped (I was on a bicycle tour) just outside Avebury, and the ditch/standing stone system is pretty incredible.
It's amazing to think that they transported those bluestones all that way...the culture/civilization of that time must have had a pretty good excess of production to be able to put all of that concerted effort into such an endeavor.
Comment moderation is enabled. Your comment will not be visible until approved. Arguing or use of insulting or derogatory language will result in your comment going unpublished: no name-calling. Comments I deem excessively partisan will not be published.
Even back in the 70's they were very sure that Stonehenge was a (fairly sophisticated) astronomical observatory. When I was there for the solstice of 1976 (back when you could actually walk through it, and touch the stones) I picked up a small book entitled, "The Astronomical Significance of Stonehenge", which explained how the structures were used.
ReplyDeleteExcavations have also shown that the last structures built were expanding on, and making permanent, what had been previously built using less long-lasting things like wooden posts. Posts were originally simply set in the dirt, and as the observatory became bigger, more sophisticated methods like placing the posts on stone foundations were used. The last structures were huge, and intended to be permanent.
Other stone circles are impressive too, like the one at Avebury. I camped (I was on a bicycle tour) just outside Avebury, and the ditch/standing stone system is pretty incredible.
It's amazing to think that they transported those bluestones all that way...the culture/civilization of that time must have had a pretty good excess of production to be able to put all of that concerted effort into such an endeavor.
Of course, if they tried to do it today, it would cost 20 Billion Pounds and take 50 years.
ReplyDeleteVonnegut suggested, years ago, that it was because at certain times in the past, gravity was variable.
ReplyDeleteit's at least as plausible as a lot of other theories I've heard.
Les
ReplyDeleteThey'd never get planning permission to build it.