Stonehenge

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Stonehenge

Postby ozzy72 » Mon Jun 21, 2004 3:24 am

Remains found near Stonehenge are almost certainly of an ancient people who built the monument, excited archaeologists have revealed.
Researchers investigating the origins of the seven 4,500 year-old skeletons found buried on Salisbury Plain last year have run chemical tests to trace their origins and age.
They have concluded they are of people from south-west Wales - the same region from where bluestones forming the world-famous iconic monument originate.
Dr Andrew Fitzpatrick, of Wessex Archaeology, said: "In medieval times, people believed that the stones could only have been brought to Stonehenge by Merlin the Wizard.
"For the first time we have found the mortal remains of one of the families who were almost certainly involved in this monumental task."
The seven skeletons were found by workmen digging trenches for a housing development at Boscombe, Wiltshire, and have been dubbed the Boscombe Bowmen because of the flint arrowheads found in the graves.
Scientists say the bones of the three children, a teenager and three men are so similar they must be related.
They have tested the enamel on their teeth which as it forms in developing years, provides a unique fingerprint of where they grew up.
Tests by scientists of the British Geological Survey on the strontium isotopes in the Bowmen's teeth show that they grew up in a place where the rocks are very radioactive. This was either in the Lake District or Wales.
The finds will be on display in Salisbury Museum in the exhibition Changing Places from Saturday July 3.
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Re: Stonehenge

Postby denishc » Mon Jun 21, 2004 3:57 am

 I've heard that there are many 'circular' type manuments throught out England and that Stonehedge is the most complete, and famous, of these monuments.
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Re: Stonehenge

Postby Hagar » Mon Jun 21, 2004 4:07 am

Very interesting. I hope this doesn't turn out to be another Piltdown Man. "Experts" are so easily fooled & seem to believe what they want to believe. ::)

I've heard that there are many 'circular' type manuments throught out England and that Stonehedge is the most complete, and famous, of these monuments.

Yep, these circular structures are called Henges. They vary in size & are usually a circle of upright stones. Stonehenge is not the biggest henge but it's considered unique with its tongue & grooved lintels on top of the upright stones. It's not certain how this was done with the available tools or how the huge blocks of stone were hauled all the way from Wales to Salisbury Plain. One theory is that they were transported by sea.
Last edited by Hagar on Mon Jun 21, 2004 4:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Stonehenge

Postby denishc » Mon Jun 21, 2004 4:21 am

 Ya know what...I've been spelling it wrong.  Its StoneheNge not StoneheDge!!  Forgive me you guys....and thanks for all the info.
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Re: Stonehenge

Postby ozzy72 » Mon Jun 21, 2004 5:25 am

If memory serves the largest Henge is in France, its about 10 or so times larger than Stonehenge and still no-one can divine its purpose...
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Re: Stonehenge

Postby Hagar » Mon Jun 21, 2004 6:31 am

Avebury Henge, Avon is the largest henge in Europe with a 1300 foot diameter & covering nearly 30 acres and a ditch that was once 30 feet deep. Its height would have originally been 55 feet from the bottom of the ditch to the top of the bank. Within the Henge is the outer stone circle, originally numbering 100 stones but now only 27. For sheer scale Stonehenge bears no comparison.

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Re: Stonehenge

Postby ozzy72 » Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:00 am

Gosh that IS big :o
You don't think maybe this whole henge manufacturing thing was a sort of druidic phallic thing, a bit like cars are for men these days? :D
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Re: Stonehenge

Postby Hagar » Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:30 am

I'm not sure if Avebury is on a hill but it reminds me of the prehistoric hill forts dotted all over the south of England. It looks more like a fortified settlement rather than a religious meeting place & I suspect that people actually lived there in a thriving community. The earth mound above the ditch would have been topped by a spiked wooden barricade. It would be a formidable fortress very similar to the later medieval castles. An impressive undertaking even with modern equipment.

I have no idea what the stone circles represent any more than anyone else. ;)
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Re: Stonehenge

Postby ozzy72 » Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:45 am

Possibly a joke?
You know a few druids one Saturday after sacrificing a virgin and then sinking a fell gallons of scumpy come up with the idea of knocking-up so giant stone circles just to baffle people for thousands of years to come... that kind of thing ;D
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Re: Stonehenge

Postby Hagar » Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:49 am

Knowing those crafty old Druids you could be right. If that was their motive they certainly succeeded. LOL ;D
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Re: Stonehenge

Postby bricks4wings » Sun Jun 27, 2004 9:25 pm

Druids were into trees. Not rocks.
 Druids were the priest class of the Celts. They were the original "tree huggers".
Stonehenge is believed to pre-date the known celtic tribes.
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Re: Stonehenge

Postby eno » Mon Jun 28, 2004 3:34 am

Possibly a joke?
You know a few druids one Saturday after sacrificing a virgin and then sinking a fell gallons of scumpy come up with the idea of knocking-up so giant stone circles just to baffle people for thousands of years to come... that kind of thing ;D


You know whats really gonna happen ......... someones going to find Slartifartbarsts signiture on the bottom of one of the stones... along with a note from God saying "Sorry for the confusion!"  ;D ;D ::)

cheers
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Re: Stonehenge

Postby ozzy72 » Mon Jun 28, 2004 5:38 am

Its not remotely close to a nice crinkly bit of fjord Eno ;D
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