Stonehenge by junge1

Photography • Historical • posted on Nov 05, 2009

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Description

Stonehenge was built between 3100 - 1100 B.C. The circle was aligned with the midsummer sunrise, the midwinter sunset, and the most southerly rising and northerly setting of the moon. The ground plan and structural engineering of Stonehenge incorporate sophisticated mathematical and geometrical understandings on the part of its builders. There were two types of stones used in its construction: the 'bluestones' (weighing as much as four tons and brought from 240 miles away) and the Sarsen stones (averaging eighteen feet in height and twenty-five tons in weight). It has been estimated that the construction of Stonehenge required more than thirty million hours of labor For centuries it was assumed that Stonehenge was built by the Druids. However, the Druids had nothing to do with the construction of the stone rings. Druids are known to have conducted their ritual activities mostly in sacred forest groves, but Stonehenge was used for ritual activities associated with the solstices and equinoxes by its builders. To determine these celestial positions, it is obvious that the climate must have been different, more like today's climate of the Mediterranean and North Africa, just as the climate in the Mediterranean and today's Sahara was different as evidenced by the large aquifers underlying the Sahara. This picture was taken in August 1991 and later scanned. Thank you for viewing, commenting, and favs, Sig.... I will comment later today.

Comments (45)

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PSDuck

12:40AM | Thu, 05 November 2009

Been there, touched the stones gently. They are magnificant! It is truly awe-inspiring to think that humans erected these without the use of metal tools!

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renecyberdoc

12:44AM | Thu, 05 November 2009

amazing shot and great commentary.

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bmac62

12:52AM | Thu, 05 November 2009

Sig, you continue to amaze...your passport must be worn out:) Nice piece of photography and scanning. The historical note brings me up to date...I was still back with the Druids.

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beachzz

1:07AM | Thu, 05 November 2009

This has always fascinated me--one of the places in the world I'd truly love to see!!

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erlandpil

1:13AM | Thu, 05 November 2009

Very good picture again erland

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bazza

1:28AM | Thu, 05 November 2009

Nice picture an interesting place, great commentary too, well done!!

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Faemike55

1:38AM | Thu, 05 November 2009

This is one place that I want to visit! thanks for the information

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junge1

1:55AM | Thu, 05 November 2009

My interest got sparked when I took several Astronomy classes in the seventies!

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bimm3d

1:57AM | Thu, 05 November 2009

wonderful info and photo!!

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Umbetro38

3:28AM | Thu, 05 November 2009

This place is magic - i love it

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aureagle

3:53AM | Thu, 05 November 2009

I've seen this many times... but this is very very informative! I miss something though that I have no means to measure it's height! But even then, this is a beautiful pic and a very informative caption. Thanks!

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