Stonehenges: Megalithic Stonehenges: Megalithic EuropeEurope

““Megaliths”Megaliths”Carnac, FranceCarnac, FranceNewgrange, Ireland Newgrange, Ireland Avebury, EnglandAvebury, EnglandStonehenge, EnglandStonehenge, England

Meanings of the StonesMeanings of the Stones

*Photos Courtesy of Windows to the Universe: http://www.windows.ucar.edu, http://knowth.com/index.htm, http://www.sacredsites.com/2nd56/133.html, http://www.sacredsites.com/1st30/stonehen.html

MegalithsMegalithsA megalithic structure is a prehistoric monument made of A megalithic structure is a prehistoric monument made of large stones. Megalith comes from Greek; "mega" means large stones. Megalith comes from Greek; "mega" means big and "lithos" means stone. big and "lithos" means stone. Megalithic structures can be found across Europe in Great Megalithic structures can be found across Europe in Great Britain, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Britain, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Corsica, and Malta. Germany, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Corsica, and Malta. These structures can also be found in Russia, the These structures can also be found in Russia, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Americas, Africa, and Asia. Even though separated by great distances, many of the Even though separated by great distances, many of the structures look alike and can be separated into three structures look alike and can be separated into three categories:categories:– Menhir structures-the upright or standing stones. Standing stones Menhir structures-the upright or standing stones. Standing stones

are often arranged in circles or lines. are often arranged in circles or lines. – Dolmens-three or more upright stones with a stone that balances Dolmens-three or more upright stones with a stone that balances

on top. Dolmen structures acted as a burial ground. A Cairn is a on top. Dolmen structures acted as a burial ground. A Cairn is a dry-stone encasement of one or several burial chambers. dry-stone encasement of one or several burial chambers.

– Tumulus is a mound of earth, grass, and stones that covers a Tumulus is a mound of earth, grass, and stones that covers a tomb. Whereas the Dolmen and Cairn provide access to the burial tomb. Whereas the Dolmen and Cairn provide access to the burial chamber, a Tumulus is totally closed off by dirt. chamber, a Tumulus is totally closed off by dirt.

CarnacCarnac

The Carnac area has many different types of The Carnac area has many different types of stones and ancient markings. stones and ancient markings. Carnac may also be the site of the world's oldest Carnac may also be the site of the world's oldest megaliths, the earliest stones dating from around megaliths, the earliest stones dating from around 4,500 B.C. 4,500 B.C. The Carnac region contains many Menhir or The Carnac region contains many Menhir or upright stones. upright stones. – The Menhir stones are sometimes found in a line and The Menhir stones are sometimes found in a line and

sometimes in a circle. sometimes in a circle. – They can be anywhere from 0.8 meters high to 6.5 They can be anywhere from 0.8 meters high to 6.5

meters high and rows lined with stones can extend for meters high and rows lined with stones can extend for distances of over a kilometer. distances of over a kilometer.

– An enclosure of Menhirs is called a Cromleclh. An enclosure of Menhirs is called a Cromleclh.

Standing Stones (Menhirs)Standing Stones (Menhirs)from Carnacfrom Carnac

Dolmens & TumulusDolmens & Tumulus

The area is also home to Dolmens, burial places formed The area is also home to Dolmens, burial places formed out of large stones. out of large stones. Archeologists have found many bone fragments in these Archeologists have found many bone fragments in these structures and so can be almost certain they were used structures and so can be almost certain they were used as burial grounds.as burial grounds.Dolmens would have a funeral chamber where people Dolmens would have a funeral chamber where people were buried and an access to that chamber. were buried and an access to that chamber. – They basically look like a stone fort.They basically look like a stone fort.

A Tumulus is a huge mound of earth and stones that A Tumulus is a huge mound of earth and stones that covers a burial place. covers a burial place. – It looks like a well-formed hill of dirt, now covered with grass. It looks like a well-formed hill of dirt, now covered with grass. – A Tumulus didn't allow any access to the burial places. A Tumulus didn't allow any access to the burial places. – It is thought that sometimes a Dolmen burial ground would be It is thought that sometimes a Dolmen burial ground would be

covered with a Tumulus. covered with a Tumulus.

Dolmen StructureDolmen Structure

Dolmen at Carnac

TumulusTumulus

Silbury Hill, Avebury, EnglandSilbury Hill, Avebury, England

Newgrange, Ireland*Newgrange, Ireland*

The Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange The Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange was built about 3200 BC. was built about 3200 BC. The mound covers an area of over one acre and The mound covers an area of over one acre and is surrounded by 97 kerbstones, some of which is surrounded by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with megalithic art. are richly decorated with megalithic art. The 19 meter long inner passage leads to a The 19 meter long inner passage leads to a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof. cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof. It is estimated that the construction of the It is estimated that the construction of the Passage Tomb at Newgrange would have taken Passage Tomb at Newgrange would have taken a work force of 300 at least 20 years. a work force of 300 at least 20 years.

*Information and photos from http://knowth.com/index.htm

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

http://www.meathtourism.ie/historicmeath/hm2main.htm

County Meath, IrelandCounty Meath, Ireland

Newgrange siteNewgrange site

Newgrange Megalithic Passage Newgrange Megalithic Passage Tomb Tomb

DecorationsDecorations

The large stones surrounding and inside The large stones surrounding and inside the Passage Tombs are decorated with the Passage Tombs are decorated with Megalithic Art such as spirals, concentric Megalithic Art such as spirals, concentric circles, triangles, zigzags and images circles, triangles, zigzags and images which have been interpreted as the sun, which have been interpreted as the sun, moon and the human face. moon and the human face.

The winter solstice at the main entrance (top) illuminates the chamber within (bottom).

NewgrangeNewgrange

Roofbox (Where winter solstice sun shines through)Roofbox (Where winter solstice sun shines through)

Avebury, EnglandAvebury, EnglandAvebury is a composite construction that was added to Avebury is a composite construction that was added to and altered during several periods. and altered during several periods. As the site currently exists, the great circle consists of a As the site currently exists, the great circle consists of a grass-covered, chalk-stone bank that is 1,396 feet in grass-covered, chalk-stone bank that is 1,396 feet in diameter (427 meters) and 20 feet high (6 meters) with a diameter (427 meters) and 20 feet high (6 meters) with a deep inner ditch having four entrances at the cardinal deep inner ditch having four entrances at the cardinal compass points. compass points. Just inside the ditch, which was clearly not used for Just inside the ditch, which was clearly not used for defensive purposes, lies a grand circle of massive and defensive purposes, lies a grand circle of massive and irregular sarsen stones enclosing approximately 28 acres irregular sarsen stones enclosing approximately 28 acres of land. of land. This circle, originally composed of at least 98 stones but This circle, originally composed of at least 98 stones but now having only 27, itself encloses two smaller stone now having only 27, itself encloses two smaller stone circles, each being about 340 feet (104 meters) in circles, each being about 340 feet (104 meters) in diameter. diameter.

Avebury, EnglandAvebury, England

Construction of AveburyConstruction of AveburyThe two inner circles are believed to have been constructed The two inner circles are believed to have been constructed first, around 2600 BC, while the large outer ring and first, around 2600 BC, while the large outer ring and earthwork dates from 2500 BC. earthwork dates from 2500 BC. The construction of the Avebury complex must have The construction of the Avebury complex must have required enormous efforts on the part of the local required enormous efforts on the part of the local inhabitants. inhabitants. The sarsen stones, ranging in height from nine to over The sarsen stones, ranging in height from nine to over twenty feet and weighing as much as 40 tons, were first twenty feet and weighing as much as 40 tons, were first hewn from bedrock and then dragged or sledded a distance hewn from bedrock and then dragged or sledded a distance of nearly two miles from their quarry site. of nearly two miles from their quarry site. These stones were then erected and anchored in the These stones were then erected and anchored in the ground to depths between 6 and 24 inches. ground to depths between 6 and 24 inches. The excavation of the encircling ditch required an estimated The excavation of the encircling ditch required an estimated 200,000 tons of rock to be chipped and scraped away with 200,000 tons of rock to be chipped and scraped away with the crudest of stone tools and antler picks (there is some the crudest of stone tools and antler picks (there is some evidence that this ditch was once filled with water, thereby evidence that this ditch was once filled with water, thereby giving the inner stone rings the appearance of being set giving the inner stone rings the appearance of being set upon an island). upon an island).

Overview of AverburyOverview of Averbury

Standing StonesStanding Stones

The Swinden stone-marks the northEntrance.

The Cove-stones in the inner circle.

Stonehenge, EnglandStonehenge, England

Stonehenge, the most visited and well known of the Stonehenge, the most visited and well known of the British stone rings, is a composite structure built during British stone rings, is a composite structure built during three distinct periods. three distinct periods. In Period I (radiocarbon-dated to 3100 BC), Stonehenge In Period I (radiocarbon-dated to 3100 BC), Stonehenge was a circular ditch with an internal bank. was a circular ditch with an internal bank. The circle, 320 feet in diameter, had a single entrance, The circle, 320 feet in diameter, had a single entrance, 56 mysterious holes around its perimeter (with remains 56 mysterious holes around its perimeter (with remains in them of human cremations), and a wooden sanctuary in them of human cremations), and a wooden sanctuary in the middle. in the middle. The circle was aligned with the midsummer sunrise, the The circle was aligned with the midsummer sunrise, the midwinter sunset, and the most southerly rising and midwinter sunset, and the most southerly rising and northerly setting of the moon. northerly setting of the moon.

http://www.sacredsites.com/1st30/stonehen.html

Period IPeriod I

StonehengeStonehenge

The Heel Stone can be seen in the lower right.

The view includes the circular bank, ditch, and counterscarp bank. A number of the Aubrey holes are also visible.

Stonehenge Period IIStonehenge Period II

Period II (2150 BC) saw the replacement of the Period II (2150 BC) saw the replacement of the wooden sanctuary with two circles of wooden sanctuary with two circles of "bluestones" (dolerite stone with a bluish tint), "bluestones" (dolerite stone with a bluish tint), the widening of the entrance, the construction of the widening of the entrance, the construction of an entrance avenue marked by parallel ditches an entrance avenue marked by parallel ditches aligned to the midsummer sunrise, and the aligned to the midsummer sunrise, and the erection, outside the circle, of the thirty-five ton erection, outside the circle, of the thirty-five ton "Heel Stone". "Heel Stone". The eighty bluestones, some weighing as much The eighty bluestones, some weighing as much as four tons, were transported from the Prescelly as four tons, were transported from the Prescelly Mountains in Wales, 240 miles away. Mountains in Wales, 240 miles away.

Period IIPeriod II

Bluestones & SarsensBluestones & Sarsens

BluestonesSarsen lintel

If the Bluestones werebrought from the PreseliMountains of Wales, itwould have been difficult, if not impossible, to boat the stones on rafts down the Bristol Channel, as some archaeologists have suggested.Dragging them onsleds over rough groundfrom the landing to the site would have been an even more demanding task.

Period III (2075-1100 BC)Period III (2075-1100 BC)

During Period III (2075 BC), the bluestones were taken During Period III (2075 BC), the bluestones were taken down and the enormous "sarsen" stones - which still down and the enormous "sarsen" stones - which still stand today - were erected. stand today - were erected. These stones, averaging eighteen feet in height and These stones, averaging eighteen feet in height and weighing twenty-five tons, were transported from near weighing twenty-five tons, were transported from near the Avebury stone rings twenty miles to the north. the Avebury stone rings twenty miles to the north. Sometime between 1500 and 1100 BC, approximately Sometime between 1500 and 1100 BC, approximately sixty of the bluestones were reset in a circle immediately sixty of the bluestones were reset in a circle immediately inside the sarsen circle, and another nineteen were inside the sarsen circle, and another nineteen were placed in a horseshoe pattern, also inside the circle. placed in a horseshoe pattern, also inside the circle. It has been estimated that the three phases of the It has been estimated that the three phases of the construction required more than thirty million hours of construction required more than thirty million hours of labor. It is unlikely that Stonehenge was functioning labor. It is unlikely that Stonehenge was functioning much after 1100 BC.much after 1100 BC.

Period IIIPeriod III

Period IIIPeriod III

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Building StagesBuilding Stages

Constructing the MonumentConstructing the Monument

This drawing shows how a pit was dug with three straight sides and one angled. These stones were slid into place on rollers,and eventually rocks were put around the base to hold it firmly.

Placing the lintelPlacing the lintel

This illustration of the laborious process of raising and placing the lintel shows how the workers used platforms and crossed timbers to support the lintel as it was levered up inches at a time.

Meanings of the StonesMeanings of the Stones

Ancient Route Markers?Ancient Route Markers?

Female Anatomy?Female Anatomy?

Religious Centers?Religious Centers?

Astronomical Observatories?Astronomical Observatories?

Ancient Route Markers?Ancient Route Markers?

Stones connected important sites across the Stones connected important sites across the landscape.landscape.Were used to signify territories and the areas Were used to signify territories and the areas occupied by “clans”.occupied by “clans”.The Ley linesThe Ley lines. Leys are straight tracks or paths . Leys are straight tracks or paths which connect up ancient and sacred sites in which connect up ancient and sacred sites in straight lines which cover the countryside. straight lines which cover the countryside. These lines had been totally forgotten, and were These lines had been totally forgotten, and were only rediscovered in the 20th century. After it only rediscovered in the 20th century. After it had been accepted that megalithic sites could had been accepted that megalithic sites could form short alignments, the idea was extended form short alignments, the idea was extended dramatically by a retired amateur antiquarian dramatically by a retired amateur antiquarian called Alfred Watkins, in the 1920s.called Alfred Watkins, in the 1920s.

Female Anatomy?Female Anatomy?

Feb. 28, 2003Feb. 28, 2003 —The design of Stonehenge, the 4,800- —The design of Stonehenge, the 4,800-year-old monument in southwestern England, was based year-old monument in southwestern England, was based on female sexual anatomy, according to a paper in the on female sexual anatomy, according to a paper in the current current Journal of the Royal Society of MedicineJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine. . Anthony Perks, a professor emeritus of obstetrics and Anthony Perks, a professor emeritus of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of British Colombia in gynecology at the University of British Colombia in Vancouver noticed how the inner stone trilithons were Vancouver noticed how the inner stone trilithons were arranged in a more elliptical, or egg-shaped, pattern than arranged in a more elliptical, or egg-shaped, pattern than a true circle. Comparing the layout with the shape of a true circle. Comparing the layout with the shape of female sexual organs showed surprising parallels. female sexual organs showed surprising parallels. In support of the theory, the body of a sacrificial child In support of the theory, the body of a sacrificial child was found buried at the center of the circles at nearby was found buried at the center of the circles at nearby Woodhenge, suggesting both monuments followed Woodhenge, suggesting both monuments followed similar layouts. Perks even speculates a child's body similar layouts. Perks even speculates a child's body might lie buried at the center of Stonehenge.might lie buried at the center of Stonehenge.

An obstetrician sees the layout of the female reproducitive system when he looks at Stonehenge, seen up close in the above photograph. He theorizes that Stonehenge overall represents an Earth Mother goddess.

Religion?Religion?

Megalithic mounds such as Newgrange entered Irish mythology as Megalithic mounds such as Newgrange entered Irish mythology as sídhe or fairy mounds. Newgrange was said to be the home of sídhe or fairy mounds. Newgrange was said to be the home of Oenghus, the god of love. Oenghus, the god of love. In the seventeenth century, well before the development of In the seventeenth century, well before the development of archaeological dating methods and accurate historical research, the archaeological dating methods and accurate historical research, the antiquarian John Aubrey surmised that Stonehenge and other antiquarian John Aubrey surmised that Stonehenge and other megalithic structures were constructed by the Druids. megalithic structures were constructed by the Druids. While this idea (and a whole collection of related fanciful notions) While this idea (and a whole collection of related fanciful notions) has become deeply ingrained in the uneducated minds of popular has become deeply ingrained in the uneducated minds of popular culture from the seventeenth century to the present age, it is a culture from the seventeenth century to the present age, it is a matter of certain knowledge that the Druids had nothing whatsoever matter of certain knowledge that the Druids had nothing whatsoever to do with the construction of the stone rings. to do with the construction of the stone rings. The Celtic society in which the Druid priesthood flourished came The Celtic society in which the Druid priesthood flourished came into existence in Britain only after 300 BC, more than 1500 years into existence in Britain only after 300 BC, more than 1500 years after the last stone rings were constructed. after the last stone rings were constructed. Regardless, the stones obviously had ritual significance given the Regardless, the stones obviously had ritual significance given the extent of the building and human cremations found in association extent of the building and human cremations found in association with them.with them.

Astronomical Observatory?Astronomical Observatory?We do know that many of the structures have an We do know that many of the structures have an astronomical alignment. astronomical alignment. Some are oriented towards the solstice points on the Some are oriented towards the solstice points on the horizon (points where the Sun rises or sets on the horizon (points where the Sun rises or sets on the summer or winter solstice). summer or winter solstice). Some structures point to certain stars or the Moon's Some structures point to certain stars or the Moon's rising or setting on special days. Others point to Venus. rising or setting on special days. Others point to Venus. Still others are aligned with the cardinal directions of Still others are aligned with the cardinal directions of north, south, east and west. north, south, east and west. The alignment of megalithic structures is of prime The alignment of megalithic structures is of prime concern to those who study the structures. concern to those who study the structures. Because alignment can be so complicated, structures Because alignment can be so complicated, structures must be taken case by case. must be taken case by case. Some alignments point to social and religious beliefs of Some alignments point to social and religious beliefs of the community, other alignments seem to suggest the community, other alignments seem to suggest deliberate sky observing and astronomical activity. deliberate sky observing and astronomical activity.

Alignment at StonehengeAlignment at Stonehenge

Summer SolsticeSummer Solstice

A diagram showing how the Sun moves through the sky on the Summer solstice.

Summer solstice at StonehengeSummer solstice at Stonehenge

StonehengeStonehenge

Photograph of the sun rising over the heel stone.

From inner circle to heel stone.

Astronomical Observations from Astronomical Observations from NewgrangeNewgrange

The winter solstice sunrise behind a standing stone, photographed from the entrance of the passage tomb at Newgrange.

A diagram showing how the Sun moves through the sky on the Winter solstice.

Winter SolsticeWinter Solstice

Light through the roof box at Light through the roof box at Newgrange at Winter SolsticeNewgrange at Winter Solstice

The Enduring Mystery of the The Enduring Mystery of the Megalithic sitesMegalithic sites

Copyright © Clive Ruggles, University of Leicester.

America’s StonehengeAmerica’s StonehengeNorth Salem, New HampshireNorth Salem, New Hampshire

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