For Ceremonial purposes?

close
more_vert
Sanctuary S
Sanctuary Aug 19, 2013 20:31:45
Replying to thesweetcheat

thesweetcheat wrote:
Sanctuary wrote:
And why circular? Is it a vital clue as to what they may have been used for?
Lots of them aren't circular at all, which is another reason for my "one size doesn't fit all" view on this topic above.

But it's entirely possible that the shape is vital. It's actually easier to construct a circle (rope) than the variety of shapes laid out, so there is obviously a reason for the shapes chosen, which in at least come cases is likely to be astro-related.

Yes of course you are correct Alken that they're not all circular, but most are. Would I be right in saying that we automatically assume that 'something' went on inside of them, because that may not be the case at all, as it may have taken place around them might it not? That's another assumption we make which may be incorrect. Maybe we should consider more why exactly they were erected in the positions they were. Those nearby to water you often hear claim are there because of their reverence toward the wet stuff but what about those nowhere near water, why were they erected where they are? How many times have we all said on visiting a site for the first time...'What the hell were they doing all the way out here'? Could that be connected to an astronomical use maybe?

T thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Aug 19, 2013 21:08:55
Replying to Sanctuary

Sanctuary wrote:
Yes of course you are correct Alken that they're not all circular, but most are.
Actually, I'm not sure that's true. A quick glance through Thom suggests more are non-circular (I'm sure someone will have the stats). For example, the central circle at the Hurlers is an oval. So is Boscawen-Un, and Tregeseal is flattened on one side.

Sanctuary wrote:
Maybe we should consider more why exactly they were erected in the positions they were. Those nearby to water you often hear claim are there because of their reverence toward the wet stuff but what about those nowhere near water, why were they erected where they are? How many times have we all said on visiting a site for the first time...'What the hell were they doing all the way out here'? Could that be connected to an astronomical use maybe?
Yes, that's the question (why are they were they are) for me. But "all the way out here" is less compelling, based on a 21st century view of the location and surroundings. In the Bronze Age, many of the circles would have been in places that are as accessible as anywhere else, with settlements and fieldsystems close at hand. Plus the temperature was warmer - Dartmoor was certainly fertile at that time, the moors of today are a largely man-made result of overfarming and the spreading peat taking over.

T tiompan
tiompan Aug 19, 2013 21:14:59
Replying to Sanctuary

thesweetcheat wrote:
so there is obviously a reason for the shapes chosen, which in at least come cases is likely to be astro-related.
.'What the hell were they doing all the way out here'? Could that be connected to an astronomical use maybe?[/quote]

Why would the shape indicate an astro relation ?

I' can't think of any stone circle that is that far from potential settlement ,although they might not be close to a present day settlement . "all the way out here " way out of what ?
Some circles are in situations where certain lunar and solar alignments become impossible ,they may have chosen the site deliberately to avoid them ,but difficult to prove .Most sites could be moved to a different within a radius of miles and still provide the same access to alignments so the particular site is unlikely to have been chosen becaue it was ideal just for astro purposes .