Stonehenge is a world renowned site. Recently I came across one interesting piece of news that India has discovered its own version of the Stonehenge.
The news is as follow :-
Hindustan
Times
Mumbai,
March 15, 2012
India may
have its own version of Stonehenge, England’s prehistoric monument with
astronomical associations, in Karnataka. Researchers from the Mumbai-based Tata
Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and Manipal University have discovered
26 megalithic constructions at Byse near Hosnagara , 140 km from Mangalore, which were probably
used as an astronomical observatory by its inhabitants.
The
three-member team has claimed that the menhirs or stones, dating prior to
1000BC, are the first strong evidence of a monument with intentional solar and
possible stellar alignments among Indian megaliths.
Using
computer simulations, the team found that the standing stones are aligned to
the north, east, south and west directions and also match the two solstices and
equinoxes. While the two solstices mark
the longest and shortest days of the year, an equinox occurs when the sun is in
the same plane as the earth’s equator.
“The
megaliths may have helped inhabitants know the various seasons; helping them
carry out agriculture and other trade,” said Mayank Vahia, astrophysicist,
TIFR. “The study establishes that India had a strong intellectual tradition of
precise astronomical observation not copied from any other civilisation.”
The study
‘Stone alignment with solar and other sightlines in South India’ is published
in the latest issue of Current Science, published by the Indian Academy of
Sciences based in Bangalore.
“Although
the site was discovered in 1975, we went back to literature and found that
nothing more of them was studied,” said professor Srikumar M Menon from the
Manipal School of Architecture and Planning, Manipal University.
The Place is - Near Hosnagara in the state of Karnataka , India . The place is close to the famous Indian Cities Mangalore and Bangalore
Would you like to travel beyond
time? Do you have interest in history? Are you really keen on finding the root
of our past and ancestors? Then you must Visit the world heritage site
Stonehenge.
Location – It is a prehistoric monument located in the English county
of Wiltshire, about 2.0 miles (3.2 km) west of Amesbury and 8 miles (13 km)
north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is
composed of a circular setting of large standing stones set within earthworks.
It is at the centre of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Age monuments in
England. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stonehenge/
What is it- Archaeologists believe the iconic
stone monument was constructed anywhere from 3000 BC to 2000 BC, as described
in the chronology below. Radiocarbon dating in 2008 suggested that the first
stones were erected in 2400–2200 BC, whilst another theory suggests that
bluestones may have been erected at the site as early as 3000 BC.
The surrounding circular earth
bank and ditch, which constitute the earliest phase of the monument, have been
dated to about 3100 BC. The site and its surroundings were added to the
UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1986 in a co-listing with Avebury
Henge monument. It is a national legally protected Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Stonehenge is owned by Crown and managed by English Heritage, while the
surrounding land is owned by the National Trust.
Archaeological evidence found by
the Stonehenge Riverside Project in 2008 indicates that Stonehenge could
possibly have served as a burial ground from its earliest beginnings.The dating
of cremated remains found on the site indicate that deposits contain human bone
material from as early as 3000 BC, when the initial ditch and bank were first
dug. Such deposits continued at Stonehenge for at least another 500 years
A short Video on Stonehenge
A mystery- Some archaeologists believe the
Amesbury Archer, whose tomb was discovered three miles from Stonehenge, is the
key to understanding why Stonehenge was built. Archer’s corpse was examined and
documentation reveals he was a wealthy and powerful man with a skill of metal
working. With examination of Archer’s corpse revealing he had some serious
health issues, some believe he came to Stonehenge to be healed. Archer’s
remains dated back to the same time the first circle of the Stonehenge was
built. Whether Archer came to Stonehenge to be healed or just to work is still
unknown.
People have been trying to figure
out the origin of Stonehenge for hundreds of years. Just like there are also
hundreds of speculations as to why Stonehenge was built. With so many theories,
although some stand to reason, we will probably never know the true meaning or
origin of Stonehenge. Whether it was built for healing, dying, astronomy,
rituals, paganism and the list goes on and on, scientist and archaeologists
continue to explore and study Stonehenge in hopes of finding the true origin of
its existence.
With expanded technology in
today’s world the answer could appear. Many hours and many teams of workers
continue to explore Stonehenge to give the world the answer that hundreds of
thousands of people have always wanted to know :-
Who came up with the idea for Stonehenge?
What purpose at that time did Stonehenge have for it’s people?
How did the massive stones get transported to this area?
Hundreds of questions with possible
answers. Until the mystery of Stonehenge is solved it will always stand as a
mystery for everyone.
Mystery or not, the origin or
Stonehenge is uncertain, however the splendor of it’s makers and the countless
hours invested in Stonehenge is still reason enough to draw visitors from all
over the world. Until the answer is found as to the origin of Stonehenge
everyone who visits will make their own conclusion as to why such a massive
remarkable wonder exists. The mystery itself is enough reason to visit Stonehenge
and who knows, maybe no speculation is far from wrong when you think about it.
How to reach the
Stonehenge–
Distance
for London – 80 miles
Takes around 2 hours by car from London
Nearest
station to Stonehenge - Salisbury
By
Train – Waterloo (London) to Salisbury every Half hour
Bus
– From Salisbury its 10 miles .You can catch bus or Cab
Bus
from London – Heathrow Airport and Victoria Coach station
