The mystique of the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge has long stoked people’s imaginations.
Theories as to what the Neolithic monument was used for include everything from a burial site to a place of healing.
But a team of Australian researchers believes that the bluestone circle and similar formations of standing stones in the UK may actually have been built to track the movements of the sun, moon and stars thousands of years ago.
The UK has its fair share of ancient stone formations, stretching from Stonehenge in Wiltshire to standing stones on the Orkney Islands off the Scottish mainland.
By looking at their positions and orientation and comparing this against the astronomical alignments around the time they were built, researchers at the University of Adelaide have provided evidence to support the theory that these stones were placed in relation to the movement of celestial bodies.
Is Stonehenge an 'ancient computer'? Study of standing stones across the UK confirms they were used as astronomical calculators
Researchers studied ancient standing stones on the Scottish isles
They found strong alignments with the paths of the sun and moon
Standing stones would have been carefully placed in their surroundings
Researchers believe they were erected on early astronomical knowledge
By Ryan O'Hare for MailOnline
18 August 2016
Daily Mail
The mystique of the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge has long stoked people’s imaginations.
Theories as to what the Neolithic monument was used for include everything from a burial site to a place of healing.
But a team of Australian researchers believes that the bluestone circle and similar formations of standing stones in the UK may actually have been built to track the movements of the sun, moon and stars thousands of years ago.
Australian researchers believe the bluestones of Stonehenge (pictured) and similar formations of standing stones in the UK were built to track the movements of the sun, moon and stars thousands of years ago
The UK has its fair share of ancient stone formations, stretching from Stonehenge in Wiltshire to standing stones on the Orkney Islands off the Scottish mainland.
By looking at their positions and orientation and comparing this against the astronomical alignments around the time they were built, researchers at the University of Adelaide have provided evidence to support the theory that these stones were placed in relation to the movement of celestial bodies.
‘Nobody before this has ever statistically determined that a single stone circle was constructed with astronomical phenomena in mind - it was all supposition,’ said Dr Gail Higginbottom, project leader at the University of Adelaide Visiting and who is also a visiting fellow at the Australian National University.
‘This research is finally proof that the ancient Britons connected the Earth to the sky with their earliest standing stones, and that this practice continued in the same way for 2,000 years.’
The team looked to some of the most ancient stone formations in the British Isles, including Callanish, on the Isle of Lewis, and Stenness, Isle of Orkney.
It is believed that some of these sites could predate Stonehenge, where construction was thought to have begun around 3,100 BCE.
The study looked at the position and orientation of standing stones, including the those at Stenness on the Orkney Islands (pictured), and analysed their positions in relation to their surroundings. They found strong alignments between their position and the paths of the sun and moon
Researchers believe standing stones were erected using early astronomical knowledge, with 2D and 3D computer modelling of sites indicating a strong alignment with celestial movements (stock image)
BRITAIN'S ANCIENT STONE CIRCLES
The UK has its fair share of ancient stone formations. some of the oldest include:
Stonehenge - Wiltshire, 3,100 BCE
Stenness - mainland Orkney, 3,100 BCE.
Ring of Brodgar - Orkney, 2,500 BCE
Callanish - Isle of Lewis, c.2,900 BCE
Avebury Circle - Wiltshire, c.3,000 BCE
Using computer modelling, the researchers were able to reconstruct the position and orientation of the standing stones within their surroundings.
The analysis revealed that the stones were strongly aligned with the movements of the sun and moon.
But beyond this, they found a relationship between the horizons and how the sun and moon passed across the landscape and surrounding markers.
The choice of location would have been key to how the stones were ordered, affecting the observations that could be made from the site.
‘These chosen surroundings would have influenced the way the Sun and Moon were seen, particularly in the timing of their rising and setting at special times, like when the Moon appears at its most northerly position on the horizon, which only happens every 18.6 years,’ Dr Higginbottom says.
Researchers believe the Scottish standing stones, such as those at Stenness and Callanish on the Isle of Lewis (pictured) - some of which could predate Stonehenge - were erected using early astronomical knowledge
‘For example, at 50 per cent of the sites, the northern horizon is relatively higher and closer than the southern and the summer solstice Sun rises out of the highest peak in the north.
'At the other 50 per cent of sites, the southern horizon is higher and closer than the northern, with the winter solstice sun rising out of these highest horizons.'
The researcher added: ‘These people chose to erect these great stones very precisely within the landscape and in relation to the astronomy they knew.
‘They invested a tremendous amount of effort and work to do so. It tells us about their strong connection with their environment, and how important it must have been to them, for their culture and for their culture's survival.’
The findings are published in the Journal of Archaeological Science.
LINKING ANCIENT STONES WITH THE STARS
A team from the University of Adelaide analysed ancient standing stones on the Scottish isles.
They found strong alignments between the placement and orientation of the stones with the paths of the sun and moon and other features in their surroundings.
Experts believe the analysis provides the first evidence to support theories that stone circles were used to measure or track the movement of heavenly bodies.
They believe such accurate placement indicates the stones were erected based on astronomical knowledge of the time and shows their ancient architects had a strong connection with their environment and the skies above.
WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF STONEHENGE?
It is not known exactly why - or how - Stonehenge was built.
Experts have suggested it was a temple, parliament and a graveyard.
Some people think the stones have healing powers, while others think they have musical properties when struck with a stone.
They could have acted as a giant musical instrument to call ancient people to the monument.
What is clear, is that the stones were aligned with phases of the sun.
People were buried there and skeletal evidence shows that people travelled hundreds of miles to visit Stonehenge – for whatever reason.
Recently, experts said the route was a busy one and that Stonehenge could be viewed differently from different positions.
It seems that instead of being a complete barrier, the Cursus acted as a gateway to guide visitors to the stone circle.
The Cursus
Read more: Study of Stonehenge across the UK confirms they were used as astronomical calculators | Daily Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Theories as to what the Neolithic monument was used for include everything from a burial site to a place of healing.
But a team of Australian researchers believes that the bluestone circle and similar formations of standing stones in the UK may actually have been built to track the movements of the sun, moon and stars thousands of years ago.
The UK has its fair share of ancient stone formations, stretching from Stonehenge in Wiltshire to standing stones on the Orkney Islands off the Scottish mainland.
By looking at their positions and orientation and comparing this against the astronomical alignments around the time they were built, researchers at the University of Adelaide have provided evidence to support the theory that these stones were placed in relation to the movement of celestial bodies.
Is Stonehenge an 'ancient computer'? Study of standing stones across the UK confirms they were used as astronomical calculators
Researchers studied ancient standing stones on the Scottish isles
They found strong alignments with the paths of the sun and moon
Standing stones would have been carefully placed in their surroundings
Researchers believe they were erected on early astronomical knowledge
By Ryan O'Hare for MailOnline
18 August 2016
Daily Mail
The mystique of the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge has long stoked people’s imaginations.
Theories as to what the Neolithic monument was used for include everything from a burial site to a place of healing.
But a team of Australian researchers believes that the bluestone circle and similar formations of standing stones in the UK may actually have been built to track the movements of the sun, moon and stars thousands of years ago.
Australian researchers believe the bluestones of Stonehenge (pictured) and similar formations of standing stones in the UK were built to track the movements of the sun, moon and stars thousands of years ago
The UK has its fair share of ancient stone formations, stretching from Stonehenge in Wiltshire to standing stones on the Orkney Islands off the Scottish mainland.
By looking at their positions and orientation and comparing this against the astronomical alignments around the time they were built, researchers at the University of Adelaide have provided evidence to support the theory that these stones were placed in relation to the movement of celestial bodies.
‘Nobody before this has ever statistically determined that a single stone circle was constructed with astronomical phenomena in mind - it was all supposition,’ said Dr Gail Higginbottom, project leader at the University of Adelaide Visiting and who is also a visiting fellow at the Australian National University.
‘This research is finally proof that the ancient Britons connected the Earth to the sky with their earliest standing stones, and that this practice continued in the same way for 2,000 years.’
The team looked to some of the most ancient stone formations in the British Isles, including Callanish, on the Isle of Lewis, and Stenness, Isle of Orkney.
It is believed that some of these sites could predate Stonehenge, where construction was thought to have begun around 3,100 BCE.
The study looked at the position and orientation of standing stones, including the those at Stenness on the Orkney Islands (pictured), and analysed their positions in relation to their surroundings. They found strong alignments between their position and the paths of the sun and moon
Researchers believe standing stones were erected using early astronomical knowledge, with 2D and 3D computer modelling of sites indicating a strong alignment with celestial movements (stock image)
BRITAIN'S ANCIENT STONE CIRCLES
The UK has its fair share of ancient stone formations. some of the oldest include:
Stonehenge - Wiltshire, 3,100 BCE
Stenness - mainland Orkney, 3,100 BCE.
Ring of Brodgar - Orkney, 2,500 BCE
Callanish - Isle of Lewis, c.2,900 BCE
Avebury Circle - Wiltshire, c.3,000 BCE
Using computer modelling, the researchers were able to reconstruct the position and orientation of the standing stones within their surroundings.
The analysis revealed that the stones were strongly aligned with the movements of the sun and moon.
But beyond this, they found a relationship between the horizons and how the sun and moon passed across the landscape and surrounding markers.
The choice of location would have been key to how the stones were ordered, affecting the observations that could be made from the site.
‘These chosen surroundings would have influenced the way the Sun and Moon were seen, particularly in the timing of their rising and setting at special times, like when the Moon appears at its most northerly position on the horizon, which only happens every 18.6 years,’ Dr Higginbottom says.
Researchers believe the Scottish standing stones, such as those at Stenness and Callanish on the Isle of Lewis (pictured) - some of which could predate Stonehenge - were erected using early astronomical knowledge
‘For example, at 50 per cent of the sites, the northern horizon is relatively higher and closer than the southern and the summer solstice Sun rises out of the highest peak in the north.
'At the other 50 per cent of sites, the southern horizon is higher and closer than the northern, with the winter solstice sun rising out of these highest horizons.'
The researcher added: ‘These people chose to erect these great stones very precisely within the landscape and in relation to the astronomy they knew.
‘They invested a tremendous amount of effort and work to do so. It tells us about their strong connection with their environment, and how important it must have been to them, for their culture and for their culture's survival.’
The findings are published in the Journal of Archaeological Science.
LINKING ANCIENT STONES WITH THE STARS
A team from the University of Adelaide analysed ancient standing stones on the Scottish isles.
They found strong alignments between the placement and orientation of the stones with the paths of the sun and moon and other features in their surroundings.
Experts believe the analysis provides the first evidence to support theories that stone circles were used to measure or track the movement of heavenly bodies.
They believe such accurate placement indicates the stones were erected based on astronomical knowledge of the time and shows their ancient architects had a strong connection with their environment and the skies above.
WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF STONEHENGE?
It is not known exactly why - or how - Stonehenge was built.
Experts have suggested it was a temple, parliament and a graveyard.
Some people think the stones have healing powers, while others think they have musical properties when struck with a stone.
They could have acted as a giant musical instrument to call ancient people to the monument.
What is clear, is that the stones were aligned with phases of the sun.
People were buried there and skeletal evidence shows that people travelled hundreds of miles to visit Stonehenge – for whatever reason.
Recently, experts said the route was a busy one and that Stonehenge could be viewed differently from different positions.
It seems that instead of being a complete barrier, the Cursus acted as a gateway to guide visitors to the stone circle.
The Cursus
Read more: Study of Stonehenge across the UK confirms they were used as astronomical calculators | Daily Mail Online
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