Henges in general

close

I've just been talking to a mate about the Durrington Walls programme, and he mentioned something interesting:

"The general idea seems to have been that you have feasts and a rave at henges with east-west entrances, giving a happy feel, like Knowleton Henge (not so happy of you are one of the pigs being roasted though). If the entrance is north-south, the henges seem to be more linked with death and have a grim feel."

Does anyone know any more about this? If there's any archaeological evidence to back it up? He's an ex-archaeologist, I believe, so have no reason to question it, but just wondered if anyone else had any info along these lines...

G x

>bump<

I can't believe nobody has an opinion on this! ;o)

Sorry - I just thought I'd bring it back to the top in case you missed it in amongst all the nastiness...

If it turns out nobody DOES have an opinion, I fully understand and will take no umbrage..!

G x

It's a fascinating idea and sounds totally feasible from a light point of view, but as I know f**k all about it I'm waiting for someone to come along & educate me :-)

Are we talking original purpose or modern use here (or both)?

I've just dug out a diagram of a 'Provisional late Neolithic Cosmological Scheme' by Timothy Darvill. It goes something like this...well exactly like this;
North
Earth, cold
South
Sky, warm
West
Sunset, death, burial places, darkness, winter, fire.
East
Sunrise, life, settlement, light, summer.
Center
Hearth, transformation.

It kinda makes sense.