The Social Archaeology of Megalithic Monuments
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Magazine Summer 2011 Plan Your Walk
magazine summer 2011 magazine summer 2011 Southern England Southern England 09 Land’s End Peninsula, Cornwall 10 Avebury, Wiltshire 12/05/2011 16:30 l Distance 22½km/14 miles l Time 7hrs l Type Coast l Distance 18km/11 miles l Time 6½hrs l Type Countryside NAVIGATION FITNESS NAVIGATION FITNESS 1 LEVEL 1 2/3 LEVEL 2/3 2 LEVEL 2 2 LEVEL 2 feature p61 Plan your walk Plan your walk SEE Newquay l Cheltenham Redruth Gloucester Oxford St Ives l l CORNWALL Swindon l Penzance P Bristol Reading Falmouth N l TRO L Bath AVEBURY ORGA AR LAND’S END B A PENINSULA N EVE M O Landewednack T Salisbury HY: S HY: HY: FI HY: P P WHERE: Linear walk from WHERE: Circular walk from Gurnard’s Head to Sennen To find great accommodation, visit Avebury, Wiltshire. Cove via Cape Cornwall. www.ramblers.org.uk/accommodation START/END: The Red Lion, PHOTOGRA PHOTOGRA START: Gurnard’s Head Avebury (SU103699). (SW436376). Of all Cornwall’s wonderful sides of the peninsula, taking in TERRAIN: Unmarked but Taking in the first section of the cloak optional). At the end of END: Sennen Cove coastline, stretches of the north rugged cliffs, mining relics, splendid straightforward footpaths Great Stones Way, this ‘taster’ the field, cross two stiles and (SW355263). coast and the Land’s End headlands and beautiful coves. over open, chalky farmland route starts and ends inside continue beside the road, TERRAIN: Rugged coastal Peninsula must share first prize with plenty of historic the prehistoric stone circle at keeping to the L of the field. -
The University of Bradford Institutional Repository
View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Bradford Scholars The University of Bradford Institutional Repository http://bradscholars.brad.ac.uk This work is made available online in accordance with publisher policies. Please refer to the repository record for this item and our Policy Document available from the repository home page for further information. To see the final version of this work please visit the publisher’s website. Where available access to the published online version may require a subscription. Author(s): Gibson, Alex M. Title: An Introduction to the Study of Henges: Time for a Change? Publication year: 2012 Book title: Enclosing the Neolithic : Recent studies in Britain and Ireland. Report No: BAR International Series 2440. Publisher: Archaeopress. Link to publisher’s site: http://www.archaeopress.com/archaeopressshop/public/defaultAll.asp?QuickSear ch=2440 Citation: Gibson, A. (2012). An Introduction to the Study of Henges: Time for a Change? In: Gibson, A. (ed.). Enclosing the Neolithic: Recent studies in Britain and Europe. Oxford: Archaeopress. BAR International Series 2440, pp. 1-20. Copyright statement: © Archaeopress and the individual authors 2012. An Introduction to the Study of Henges: Time for a Change? Alex Gibson Abstract This paper summarises 80 years of ‘henge’ studies. It considers the range of monuments originally considered henges and how more diverse sites became added to the original list. It examines the diversity of monuments considered to be henges, their origins, their associated monument types and their dates. Since the introduction of the term, archaeologists have often been uncomfortable with it. -
Section II: Summary of the Periodic Report on the State of Conservation
State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties in Europe SECTION II thus defined on the basis of criteria I and III and UNITED KINGDOM ultimately criterion II. In this connection ICOMOS would like to recall that already in the 12th century Stonehenge, Avebury and Stonehenge was considered as one of the wonders of the world by the chroniclers Henry de Huntington Associated Sites and Geoffrey de Monmouth and that in the 17th century, Stonehenge was the focus of a study by Brief description the great architect Inigo Jones. Stonehenge and Avebury, in Wiltshire, are among The early and unwavering interest for this the most famous groups of megaliths in the world. megalithic ensemble which serves as a benchmark, The two sanctuaries consist of circles of menhirs has left its mark upon historiography, the evolution arranged in a pattern whose astronomical of architectural theories and the progress of significance is still being explored. These holy prehistoric sciences. places and the nearby Neolithic sites are an incomparable testimony to prehistoric times. Committee Decision Bureau (1986): The Bureau requested the United 1. Introduction Kingdom authorities to study possible solution to the problem of the A 344 main road crossing the Year(s) of Inscription 1986 avenue at Stonehenge (detour, digging of a tunnel, Agency responsible for site management etc.). It would be desirable for the Committee to be informed of the progress of these studies at its next • Mailing Address(es) meeting. English Heritage - Stonehenge The Close 65 Committee (1986): The Committee noted with SP1 2EN Salisbury satisfaction the assurances provided by the Wiltshire authorities of the United Kingdom that the closure United Kingdom of the road which crosses the avenue at e-mail: [email protected] Stonehenge was receiving serious consideration as part of the overall plans for the future management website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge of the site. -
Stonehenge and Avebury WHS Management Plan 2015 Summary
Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites World Heritage Site Management Plan Summary 2015 Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites World Heritage Site Management Plan Summary 2015 1 Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site Vision The Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site is universally important for its unique and dense concentration of outstanding prehistoric monuments and sites which together form a landscape without parallel. We will work together to care for and safeguard this special area and provide a tranquil, rural and ecologically diverse setting for it and its archaeology. This will allow present and future generations to explore and enjoy the monuments and their landscape setting more fully. We will also ensure that the special qualities of the World Heritage Site are presented, interpreted and enhanced where appropriate, so that visitors, the local community and the whole world can better understand and value the extraordinary achievements © K020791 Historic England © K020791 Historic of the prehistoric people who left us this rich legacy. Avebury Stone Circle We will realise the cultural, scientific and educational potential of the World Heritage Site as well as its social and economic benefits for the community. © N060499 Historic England © N060499 Historic Stonehenge in summer 2 Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites World Heritage Site Management Plan Summary 2015 Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites World Heritage Site Management Plan Summary 2015 1 World Heritage Sites © K930754 Historic England © K930754 Historic Arable farming in the WHS below the Ridgeway, Avebury The Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites World Heritage Site is internationally important for its complexes of outstanding prehistoric monuments. Stonehenge is the most architecturally sophisticated prehistoric stone circle in the world, while Avebury is Stonehenge and Avebury were inscribed as a single World Heritage Site in 1986 for their outstanding prehistoric monuments the largest. -
Heart of Neolithic Orkney Map and Guide
World heritage The remarkable monuments that make up the Heart of Neolithic Orkney were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999. These sites give visitors Heart of a vivid glimpse into the creative genius, lost beliefs and everyday lives of a once flourishing culture. Neolithic World Heritage status places them alongside such globally © Raymond Besant World heritage iconic sites as the Pyramids of Egypt and the Taj Mahal. Sites Orkney site r anger service are listed because they are of importance to all of humanity. The monuments World Heritage Site Orkney’s rich cultural and natural heritage is brought to life R anger Service Ring of Brodgar by the WHS Rangers and team of The evocative Ring of Brodgar is one of the largest and volunteers who support them. best-preserved stone circles in Great Britain. It hints at Throughout the year they run a busy programme of forgotten ritual and belief. public walks, talks and family events for all ages and Skara Brae levels of interest. The village of Skara Brae with its houses and stone Every day at 1pm in June, July and August the Rangers furniture presents an insight into the daily lives of lead walks around the Ring of Brodgar to explore the Neolithic people that is unmatched in northern Europe. iconic monument and its surrounding landscape. There Stones of Stenness are also activities designed specifically for schools and education groups. The Stones of Stenness are the remains of one of the oldest stone circles in the country, raised about 5,000 years ago. The Rangers work closely with the local community to care for the historical landscape and the wildlife that Maeshowe lives in and around its monuments. -
How to Tell a Cromlech from a Quoit ©
How to tell a cromlech from a quoit © As you might have guessed from the title, this article looks at different types of Neolithic or early Bronze Age megaliths and burial mounds, with particular reference to some well-known examples in the UK. It’s also a quick overview of some of the terms used when describing certain types of megaliths, standing stones and tombs. The definitions below serve to illustrate that there is little general agreement over what we could classify as burial mounds. Burial mounds, cairns, tumuli and barrows can all refer to man- made hills of earth or stone, are located globally and may include all types of standing stones. A barrow is a mound of earth that covers a burial. Sometimes, burials were dug into the original ground surface, but some are found placed in the mound itself. The term, barrow, can be used for British burial mounds of any period. However, round barrows can be dated to either the Early Bronze Age or the Saxon period before the conversion to Christianity, whereas long barrows are usually Neolithic in origin. So, what is a megalith? A megalith is a large stone structure or a group of standing stones - the term, megalith means great stone, from two Greek words, megas (meaning: great) and lithos (meaning: stone). However, the general meaning of megaliths includes any structure composed of large stones, which include tombs and circular standing structures. Such structures have been found in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, North and South America and may have had religious significance. Megaliths tend to be put into two general categories, ie dolmens or menhirs. -
4. Vocabulary Cards Rectificado
n. someone who studies the past by recovering and examining remaining material evidence, such archaeologist as graves, buildings, tools, bones and pottery. “ The archaeologist excavated the site.” n. the study of past human life and culture by the recovery and examination of remaining evidence, such archaeology as graves, buildings, bones and pottery. n. someone who lives in a cave. “Prehistoric man found cave dweller shelter in caves. They became cave dwellers.” n. representations of wild, animals, painted on the walls of caves by prehistoric people, using cave painting simple tools such as fingers, twigs and leaves and using colours found in nature such as brown, red, black and green. adj. relating to the period in human culture before the bronze age, characterised by the chalcolithic use of copper and stone. “The bones were dug up at a chalcolithic site. There were bronze tools there, too.” adj. early form of modern human inhabiting Europe in the late paleolithic period (40,000 – 10,000 years cro-magnon ago). Skeletal remains were first found in the Cro- Magnon cave in southern France. “Homo Sapiens is a cro.magnon man.” n. structure usually regarded as a tomb, dolmen consisting of two or more large upright stones set with a space between and capped by a horizontal stone. n. place where archaeologists dig to find evidence of how excavation site humans lived in the past. “The excavation site is full of interesting things we can use to find out about the past.” n. very hard fine- grained quartz that spark when struck. Prehistoric people used flint this to make tools and start fire. -
Silbury Hill – А Case Study with LANDSCAPE ARCHAEOLOGY: SILBURY HILL – a CASE STUDY LIONEL LIONEL SIMS LIONEL SIMS
VI. LANDSCAPE ARCHAEOLOGY AND ARCHAEOASTRONOMY INTEGRATING ARCHAEOASTRONOMY Integrating Archaeology: with Landscape ArchaeoastronomySilbury Hill – а Case Study WITH LANDSCAPE ARCHAEOLOGY: SILBURY HILL – A CASE STUDY LIONEL LIONEL SIMS LIONEL SIMS Abstract Weaknesses in both archaeoastronomy and landscape archaeology can be overcome by their combination. This is demonstrat- ed through a new interpretation of Silbury Hill in Avebury, Wiltshire. If monuments in their local landscape are considered as one choice in a system of alternatives, tests can be devised to intepret the prehistoric builders‘ intentions. This exercise finds that the builders chose a prescriptive arrangement of views of Silbury Hill to simulate a facsimile of the moon entering and returning from the underworld. Key words: dark moon, crescent moon, paired alignments, Silbury Hill, West Kennet Avenue, Beckhampton Avenue, Ave- bury, underworld. Introduction with a level circular summit platform.To date, no con- vincing explanation as to its meaning has been offered. Archaeoastronomy has to move on from the legacy of Archaeologists have long expected that excavating the the Thom paradigm if it is to prove its relevance to sci- interior of the hill would reveal burials or deposited ar- ence (Sims 2006). Over the last three decades the dis- tefacts that would provide the clues to its decoding. In cipline has established robust field methods procedures spite of the many tunnels that have been dug, so much and, in so doing, falsified Thom‘s claim for a prehis- so that the Hill has now to be rescued from imminent toric precision astronomy (Thom 1971; Ruggles 1999; collapse, no burials have been found nor interpretive Hoskin 2001, Belmonte 2006; Schaefer 1993; North breakthroughs made. -
The Significance of the Ancient Standing Stones, Villages, Tombs on Orkney Island
The Proceedings of the International Conference on Creationism Volume 5 Print Reference: Pages 561-572 Article 43 2003 The Significance of the Ancient Standing Stones, Villages, Tombs on Orkney Island Lawson L. Schroeder Philip L. Schroeder Bryan College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/icc_proceedings DigitalCommons@Cedarville provides a publication platform for fully open access journals, which means that all articles are available on the Internet to all users immediately upon publication. However, the opinions and sentiments expressed by the authors of articles published in our journals do not necessarily indicate the endorsement or reflect the views of DigitalCommons@Cedarville, the Centennial Library, or Cedarville University and its employees. The authors are solely responsible for the content of their work. Please address questions to [email protected]. Browse the contents of this volume of The Proceedings of the International Conference on Creationism. Recommended Citation Schroeder, Lawson L. and Schroeder, Philip L. (2003) "The Significance of the Ancient Standing Stones, Villages, Tombs on Orkney Island," The Proceedings of the International Conference on Creationism: Vol. 5 , Article 43. Available at: https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/icc_proceedings/vol5/iss1/43 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ANCIENT STANDING STONES, VILLAGES AND TOMBS FOUND ON THE ORKNEY ISLANDS LAWSON L. SCHROEDER, D.D.S. PHILIP L. SCHROEDER 5889 MILLSTONE RUN BRYAN COLLEGE STONE MOUNTAIN, GA 30087 P. O. BOX 7484 DAYTON, TN 37321-7000 KEYWORDS: Orkney Islands, ancient stone structures, Skara Brae, Maes Howe, broch, Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones of Stenness, dispersion, Babel, famine, Ice Age ABSTRACT The Orkney Islands make up an archipelago north of Scotland. -
PS Signpost Ballymeanoch
Ballymeanoch henge Signposts to Prehistory Location: Ballymeanoch henge (NR 833 962), barrow (NR835 963), standing stones and kerbed cairn (both NR 833 964) all lie at the southern end of the Kilmartin Valley in Argyll, Scotland. Main period: Neolithic and Bronze Age Access & ownership: All the monuments can be accessed from a car park 2.6 km south of Kilmartin, signposted ‘Dunchraigaig cairn’. A management agreement is in place between Historic Scotland and the landowner, enabling free public access. An interpretation panel can be found in the car park. This group of monuments at Ballymeanoch (Fig. 1) is part of an extensive ritual prehistoric landscape in the Kilmartin Valley. This stretches from Ormaig in the N to Achnabreck in the S, and includes various types of cairns, henges, standing stones, a stone circle, and many examples of rock art. Ballymeanoch henge is the only such monument in the west of Scotland. Built around 3000–2500 BC, it has an outer bank of 40 m diameter with an internal ditch, broken by entrance causeways at the N and S. The bank now rises to only 0.4 m; the flat-bottomed ditch is 4 m across and around 0.4 m deep. Fig. 1. Plan showing henge, standing stones, kerbed cairn and barrow. Drawn by K. Sharpe Canon Greenwell excavated the site in 1864, and found two burial cists in the centre, still visible. The largest had unusually long side slabs (up to 2.75 m) and is still covered with a massive capstone.The floor of the large cist was lined with small round pebbles but nothing was found inside. -
3 Avebury Info
AVEBURY HENGE & WEST KENNET AVENUE Information for teachers A henge is a circular area enclosed by a bank or ditch, Four or five thousand years ago there were as many as used for religious ceremonies in prehistoric times. 200-300 henges in use. They were mostly constructed Avebury is one of the largest henges in the British Isles. with a ditch inside a bank and some of them had stone Even today the bank of the henge is 5m above the or wooden structures inside them. Avebury has four modern ground level and it measures over one kilome- entrances, whereas most of the others have only one or tre all the way round. The stone circle inside the bank two. and ditch is the largest in Europe. How are the stones arranged? The outer circle of standing stones closely follows the circuit of the ditch. There were originally about 100 stones in this circle, of which 30 are still visible today. The positions of another 16 are marked with concrete pillars. Inside the northern and southern halves of the outer circle are two more stone circles, each about 100m in diameter. Only a small number of their original stones have survived. There were other stone settings inside these circles, including a three-sided group within the southern circle, known as ‘the Cove’. The largest stone that remains from this group weighs about 100 tonnes and is one of the largest megaliths in Britain. What is sarsen stone? Sarsen is a type of sandstone and is found all over the chalk downland of the Marlborough Downs. -
Orkney - the Cultural Hub of Britain in 3,500 Bc - a World Heritage Site from 1999
ORKNEY - THE CULTURAL HUB OF BRITAIN IN 3,500 BC - A WORLD HERITAGE SITE FROM 1999. THE INGENIOUS PRE-HISTORIC INHABITANTS OF WHAT ONLY BECAME SCOTLAND IN THE 9TH CENTURY AD. By James Macnaughton As indicated in the title, people lived in the Northern part of Britain for many thousands of years before it became Scotland and they were called Scots. Given its wet, cool climate and its very mountainous terrain, those inhabitants were always living on the edge, fighting to grow enough food to survive through the long winters and looking for ways to breed suitable livestock to provide both food and skins and furs from which they could fashion clothing to keep them warm and dry. 20,000 years ago, present day Scotland lay under a 1.5 Km deep ice-sheet.This is so long ago that it is difficult to imagine, but if you consider a generation to be 25 years, then this was 800 generations ago, and for us to think beyond even two or three generations of our families, this is almost unimaginable. From 11,000 years, ago, the ice was gradually melting from the South of England towards the North and this occurred more quickly along the coasts where the ice was not so thick. Early inhabitants moved North along the sea coasts as hunter gatherers and by 10,000 years ago, some of them had settled near Banchory in Aberdeenshire on the banks of the River Dee. The warming climate and the plentiful supply of fish from the river, and game from the surrounding forests, encouraged them to create a permanent settlement and to change from nomadic hunter gatherers to settled farmers.