Henge corrals?

close
more_vert
PeterH P
PeterH Dec 19, 2005 08:20:31
Replying to fitzcoraldo

Yes but... Are you not still thinking of the big henges of Wessex? Sure - they are massive and would have involved many people working over a longish time period. Yes they do reveal evidence of dwellings within and Marden, Durrington and Avebury are surely now seen as mulit-functional (doesn't Burl discount them as henges because of their size?). I accept all of that, but the point I'm making is just to question if ALL ring-ditch structures that we currently call "henges" were built to the same purpose.

I draw no conclusions whatsoever. I simply post a question.
Can anyone briefly summarise the evidence that proves that ALL henges (of whatever size) were constructed for ritual purpose alone?

F FourWinds
FourWinds Dec 19, 2005 09:01:32
Replying to PeterH

>> Can anyone briefly summarise the evidence that proves that ALL henges (of whatever size) were
>> constructed for ritual purpose alone?

No. When all of them have been fully excavated then an answer will be forthcoming. Until then we can only speculate.

F fitzcoraldo
fitzcoraldo Dec 19, 2005 09:42:33
Replying to PeterH

Far from it Peter, I was think in terms of British henges in general. There are certain design features that distinguish henges from other monuments.
Why shouldn't henges come in different sizes. Take for example places of worship in the christian era, they vary in size from roadside shrines through to chapels, churches, cathedrals to the Vatican City - a modern city state. The same rules apply for many of the worlds belief systems both ancient and modern.

I asked for one piece of archaeological evidence to back up your assertion that these structures were used as corrals. I don't think this is an unreasonable request after all, there are people on this board who get a lot of stick from making assertions which they cannot back up with any evidence.
cheers
fitz