The mysteries of Stonehenge on the Salisbury Plains of England have perplexed human-kind since the beginning of recorded history. Some of the stones weighing as much as 40 tons were said to be transferred from Wales, which was a distance of about 137 miles. With the use of radiocarbon analysis at the site of Stonehenge it has been determined that the monument was built between 3000 and 1500 BC. The original purpose of Stonehenge has been lost in the pages of time, and therefore has been a major topic of discussion for archaeologists. Since the mid 12th century archaeologist, geologists, historians, and even some authors have put forth their own opinion of when and why Stonehenge was built. Throughout this essay I shall analyse and interpret …show more content…
Geologists believe that the bluestones at Stonehenge came from Preseli Hills of Wales which is 137 miles from the stones current location. It is due to this fact that many people believe this would have been a herculean task for people living 5000 years ago and that they just did not have the correct equipment and skills to transport such a large amount of stone (2).Author Erich von Däniken is considered to be the father of the Alien Theory and has suggested that Stonehenge is a model of our Solar System. Other scholars have suggested Stonehenge was used as a type of alien landing pad, or as an astronomical observatory for extraterrestrial activities in the skies. In a recent study it was determined that Neolithic engineers could have used ball bearings in the construction of Stonehenge (3). To test this theory, researchers used wooden balls inserted in notches dug out on timber planks and attempted to pull similarly heavy stones. After the experiment professor Bruce Bradley calculated that with the help of 10 oxen Neolithic peoples could have transported the stones 10 miles per …show more content…
Lockyer related Stonehenge to other astronomical temples created by the Egyptians. Lockyer determined that at the time on the Plains it would have been especially necessary to predict certain times of the year for agricultural operations. In the book Solving Stonehenge by Anthony Johnson, we are told that Stonehenge was created using advanced geometry. This fact could mean that past peoples were much more intelligent than once thought, and could have very well constructed such a monument for astronomical observation. A later American astronomer Gerald Hawkins further studies Lockyer`s theory and in doing so discovered 165 points on the monument that were related to solstices, equinoxes and the solar and lunar eclipse (12). I find that if one combines this theory with the theory of a burial ground, we can closely relate Stonehenge to the pyramids of Egypt, which were created following astronomical patterns but also meant to be used as a vessel to the
On May 20, 1996, TIME magazine contained an advertisement for the Mita DC-8090 copying machine. It included a vivid image of a very recognizable work of art, Stonehenge. TIME magazine is a weekly news magazine and its readers are educated and interested in current events, politics, business, science, and the arts. The text of the advertisement states, "The new Mita DC-8090 has the technology to manage complicated copying jobs from start to finish-it's fully automatic. Sunsets should be watched, not copiers." The advertisement utilizes the beautiful image as a setting to make the product look attractive and the text to suggest that the copier will save time and effort. It also assumes that the reader will associate Stonehenge with the sun and sunsets using common knowledge about this famous structure.
The Arthurian cycle shows a sporadic awareness of the impossibility of mere humans fulfilling all the ideals that Arthur and his court represent. The story of Lancelot and Guenevere, Merlin's imprisonment by Nimu‘, and numerous other instances testify to the recognition of this tension between the real and the unrealistic.
...ncyclopedia of Archaeology, Ed. Deborah M. Pearsall. Vol. 3. Oxford, United Kingdom: Academic Press, 2008. p1896-1905. New Britain: Elsevier, Inc.
Standing there over such a long time, it has been the subject of research and mystery in general, for a really long time. Dozens of notable scientists, emperors and others expressed their admiration and interest through different means of explorations and excavations. There have been various theories on how it was built, and what the purpose of it was, and some of them are really intriguing and interesting such. Some thought it was built as a solar-lunar calendar, some said that it had medical purposes for the giants that had built it, it was considered a ceremonial place, temple of veneration, a portal and lastly but not less important, there were some associations of Stonehenge to the aliens. The two specific theories on the Stonehenge’s importance will be discussed and summarized in this essay.
The world of Arthurian literature is filled with magic and adventure that enchants readers of all ages. T.H. White has done a fantastic job of turning the childhood adventures of Arthur by turning his narrative into spellbinding, cartoon like interpretation of the sword in the stone legend. Moral values are apparent from the beginning of White’s novel. White has cleverly connected all the educational adventures of Arthur, along with the people and animals encountered to the pulling the sword out of the stone. This marvelous amalgamation of key elements not only ties the loose ends of Arthur’s adventures together, they also solidify the reasoning behind Arthurs’ predetermined path to becoming the king of England.
Stonehenge is located near Salisbury, England and according to an archaeologist who has investigated Stonehenge close up, Mike Parker Pearson (2010) “...the new date for the raising of the sarsens [the large stones]...[is] between 2600 and 2480 B.C….” (p. 47). It consists of the large sarsen stones which are the ones that are in pictures and on postcards. Then there are smaller bluestones that are mixed in with the sarsens, Y and Z holes that form full circles around the sarsen stones, and Aubrey holes which form a circle around the entire structure. There is a large stone outside and a ways away from the circle called the heel stone. There are two station stones that stand to the side of the of the circle and over the Aubrey holes. They form a perfect rectangle with two barrows, or burial mounds, that are there.
Many humans have been interested in different forms of art throughout all of history. Countless people have spent endless hours researching, studying, and learning about different pieces of art. Although each piece of art is unique to in own appearance, time, and meaning, many similarities can be found. Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid are two historical works of art that can be studied via comparison. Looking at the two pieces, many differences and similarities can be observed.
in the uneducated minds of popular culture from tie seventeenth century to the present. It
One of the most obvious and famous forms of evidence for a social hierarchy in Iron Age Britain is Stonehenge. This structure can be seen as a communal effort, which it most certainly was. However, given the sheer size of the stones and the detail in which they are laid out, something as significant as Stonehenge suggests that there was an underlying purpose in the structure. (Riverside, P.4).
5. Howe, Helen, and Robert T. Howe. From the Ancient and Medieval Worlds. N.p.: Longman, 1992. Print.
However, the artefacts brought to England from Benin in 1897 were an anomaly. The craftsmanship and sophistication were such that some were reminiscent of the beautiful figures in the Hofkiche, Innsbruck 1502-1563 (plate 3.1.12. Visited...
IV. The twelfth-century English writer and historian, Geoffrey of Monmouth, first recorded Merlin's building of Stonehenge in his famous book History of the Kings of Britain. Geoffrey claimed that his book was a translation of "a certain very ancient book written in the British language." However, no other scholar or historian knows of the existence of such a book.
White, John B. Afterword. Stonehenge Decoded. By Gerald S. Hawkins. New York: Doubleday, 1965. 191-197.
"Arthurian Legends." U*X*L Encyclopedia of World Mythology. Vol. 1. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 120-124. Gale World History In Context. Web. 24 Feb. 2011.
The Arthurian legends are well known in today's society. However, very few people know of the "real" Arthur -- who he was and what his accomplishments were. This paper will establish a difference between legend and truth, show evidence to support and explain who the real Arthur was, and shed some light on the sometimes confusing Arthurian legends.