Image: Tom Nagy Gallery Stock
In Brief
- Scholars have speculated about Stonehenge’s purpose for centuries.
- Traditionally their interpretations focused on the great stone circle itself. But recent discoveries have underscored that Stonehenge was never a stand-alone structure.
- Rather it appears to have been the centerpiece of a far more expansive ritual setting—a revelation that has spawned new theories about the monument’s true function.
More In This Article
With the click of a mouse, archaeologist Vince Gaffney proudly summons up a vision of an ancient landscape. Amid the clutter of his office at the University of Birmingham in England, the 52-year-old professor of landscape archaeology is displaying early results of a virtual excavation at Britain’s best-known prehistoric monument. On the screen: a giant ring of wood posts that may have stood roughly 1,000 yards northwest of Stonehenge, a timber twin of its grander neighbor. In 2010 Gaffney began a three-year project heading an international team that will probe the surrounding countryside in one more attempt to unravel the site’s mysteries, this time with the aid of the very latest technology. The first reward came quickly. Within just two weeks the team, armed with high-powered magnetometers and ground-penetrating radar, discovered traces of that putative timber ring—possibly the most important find on the site in half a century.
Gaffney’s is one of many recent discoveries that have scientists rethinking Stonehenge. The recovery of new materials, along with the reanalysis of earlier finds using modern archaeological techniques, has led to a steady flow of new information. Advances in carbon dating mean experts can provide a more accurate chronology. More sophisticated chemical analysis of human remains allows archaeologists to identify the likely origin of the earliest visitors to the site. The pace is quickening. Radar devices can turn out data at a rate inconceivable even a few years ago. (Gaffney’s equipment collected as much data in two days at Stonehenge as he managed in three years at a previous site.) And with more data come fresh ideas. New evidence is now emerging to bolster a front-running theory: Stonehenge never stood in majestic isolation. Says Gaffney: “It was just part of a much wider ritual landscape.”
This article was originally published with the title Putting Stonehenge in Its Place.
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3 Comments
Add CommentMan has always used natural phenomenon for his ceremonies.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCrop Circles, the Pyramids of Giza, Stonehenge etc are products produced by our Planet.
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Putting Stonehenge in its place?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDisappointingly the Scientific American article adds very little science, offers some pure speculation (Lourdes?) and fails to grasp the sheer wonder of a truly spectacular four thousand year old monument from our Stone Age ancestors.
The connection with Woodhenge is not news nor is the idea that Stonehenge may be part of a wider network e.g. the megaliths at Avebury 25 miles away.
The Unesco website already lists Stonehenge and Avebury as a joint World Heritage site as does the Stonehenge visitor website.
We may never know the real purpose of the stone circles but I would suggest that any man-made structure still standing after four thousand years has already earned its place.
Well the comments made about the area was always that of exterestrial postings for navigation directions. It may be true that stonehenge was in fact a Calendar. The effects if made can be see from a topigraphical view aligning with star vectors. So if other pillars were used in alignment when a particular day or season they could establish an accurate reading of calendar dates. But under the druid religion it became illegal to perform the task or rituals considering them to be paganistic and became a religion no more. But it checked against modern day calendars and astrological readings you will find act coordinates. One such conspiricy theorist used this info to back is ideal of alien landing sites. To visualize them landing for star charts, gain bearings and the departing our planet. But he was half right and wrong at the same time. Yes it is possible that rituals may have been used as well. But why do people believe that others could not read the stars like any other culture. If stonehenge like any othe instrument used to build or read the stars was a rudimentory landmark or stepping stone, like the pyramids or instruments used in navigations of the stars of later years. Craftsmenship may not have exist at the time. But looking up at the stars or forming, some form of astrology, for that area or era could make it possible for possible knowledge being inheritant in all humans. Just because we have satelites and powerful scopes to see and compute does not mean we could not think for ourselves. I have been drilled, tortured, intorogated by people out there that wanted to confirm my theories about the human self for over a 12 year period. They are call themselves a anti-abortion group. But anyway while living in the VA medical center. I was asked about this very subject from other veterans trying to figure it out. I just simple explain and the the narative showed a topigraphical view of such said cooridinates to point out particular stars seen at night. Now factor tilt of our planet along with lunar activity. You have an instrument used only by the wise and smartest. Usually called clerics, shaman, etc., I hope this can form a new insight into the possibility just what the mind can do with the use of modern tech.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thislab rat