Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: annie123 on 06/02/2015 06:34:43
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Just wondered why the most enduring, famous standing stones/rings are in Europe, and particularly Britain. Perhaps there isn't an answer except to say a particular culture favoured this kind of activity but it does seem strange that such distinctive structures should be confined to quite a small area. After all, pyramid construction occurs in both the east and west continents but there's nowhere else like Stonehenge is there? Nearest things would be the Easter island statues, but they aren't as old are they?
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Does this count in Southern Washington?
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Froswellflighttestcrew.typepad.com%2F.a%2F6a01538f63942b970b016302e58c46970d-pi&hash=2184ce39ed4d402b238d1021332f52f6)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryhill_Stonehenge
Ok, so not quite as old as those rocks in Britain
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Does this count in Southern Washington?
Ok, so not quite as old as those rocks in Britain
Much better nick though!
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There is a stone ring in New Zealand: http://www.stonehenge-aotearoa.co.nz/
It was a recreation of Stonehenge, but adapted for the latitude of New Zealand.
There are many Menhirs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menhir) or standing stones in Brittany (North-west France), which may have played an astronomical role similar to [what is assumed for] Stonehenge. With the proximity of Brittany to Stonehenge, these may have been constructed by a similar culture. Menhirs are often in small groups, and sometimes in recognisable shapes like an oval or horseshoe. There are also examples in other locations across Europe.
The cartoon character Obelix (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obelix) (obelisk) was employed delivering menhirs in France.
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Yes, Altit-Yam is a Neolithic village discovered about 1km off the coast of Israel in the Mediterranean. Seven megaliths have been found there.
There are also sites in Africa including Egypt and the world heritage site in Tiya (http://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-africa/intricately-carved-tiya-megaliths-ethiopia-002564), Ethiopia.
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There are a couple of Wikipedia pages on Stone Circles:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_circle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_stone_circles
Most of the circles are in Britain and Ireland. However, apparently there is one in Poland, and one in Israel, and one submerged off the Israel coast.
A circle, of course, is a basic shape, so there are many circular structures such as the Roman Amphitheaters, and the Pantheon.
There are also circular Greek temples and ruins. (http://www.essential-humanities.net/western-art/architecture/greek/)
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.essential-humanities.net%2Fimg%2Fart%2Fcircular-greek-temple-style-building-delphi.jpg&hash=3b26912cbf3b529a88b299d7af597431)
Even the Native Americans had circular buildings and temples. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaco_Culture_National_Historical_Park)
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2F2%2F2e%2FChaco_Canyon_Chetro_Ketl_great_kiva_plaza_NPS.jpg%2F300px-Chaco_Canyon_Chetro_Ketl_great_kiva_plaza_NPS.jpg&hash=c7e2796ee3cc3a5c44707a8d2c0b4998)
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Thanks everyone. I realize that there are buildings that are circular but the particular phenomena of separately erected huge stones of neolithic times seemed to be mostly confined to Britain which seemed strange. I would think the ones in France would be the same culture. The Ethiopian ones are much later. And nothing really on this (US) continent. Big concepts and undertakings for a small area and limited population. I wonder what first inspired the linking of such huge stones/social investment with astronomical configurations but I guess I'll never know. One would think smaller stones would have been just as adequate to mark such things.
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Thanks everyone. I realize that there are buildings that are circular but the particular phenomena of separately erected huge stones of neolithic times seemed to be mostly confined to Britain which seemed strange. I would think the ones in France would be the same culture. The Ethiopian ones are much later. And nothing really on this (US) continent.
Concentric stone circles found in the Blue Ridge Mountains were reported to have been dated by an archaeologist to around 10,000 BC (twice the age of Stonehenge). Though some of the stones are said to weigh in excess of 1 ton, the only images I have found of these stones show stones I would guess to be no more than around 50kgs. Now call me a stickler for hard and fast evidence, if you will, but I get the feeling that 12,000 years of rain, sun and wind together with plant growth and especially tree root growth, would have dispersed these stones, not left them as a recognisable shape on the surface. I have even read that the archaeologist called in by the land owner was of questionable accreditation. One also has to ask why a finding of such significance has not been investigated by some reputable body such as National Geographic or the University of South Dakota.
....... One would think smaller stones would have been just as adequate to mark such things.
Perhaps not if you wanted to grab peoples attention and make a lasting impression on them. What would really impress you? A few largish locally gathered stones stood on end or gigantic monoliths of some strange stone towering above you and with equally massive blocks laid across their tops? Its rather like the difference between an average 3 bedroom family house and the Empire State Building.
I think size did matter. Stonehenge was built to impress and to state its greater importance over other such stone circles such the nearby circle at Avebury. Just as the Great Pyramid of Giza dwarfed its neighbours and the Chrysler Building was built to out-do the Empire State Building.
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fimage%2F916148-3x2-940x627.jpg&hash=f037988536d092c90cb3c6387f102395)
Stonehenge
(https://photos.travelblog.org/Photos/17776/78235/f/1837166-Avebury-1.jpg)
Avebury
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gobekli tepe
and, much older
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These Menhirs are in the Altai mountain of central asia
http://www.123rf.com/photo_4718179_two-ancient-menhirs-in-altai-mountains-asia.html
These are the hua phan menhirs of laos
http://www.loupiote.com/photos/2691402953.shtml