re: folklore | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Robin Hood and Little John 2

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don't blame me blame Mr Burl

FourWinds Jan 30, 2003 11:20:49

Replying to Squid Tempest

Ok. You *do* need modern surveying equipment to see the difference over this period. So basically the sun rises in the same place (to the human eye) for nine days. i.e. there is no 'one moment' that Newgrange is aligned with, but an event at the same place at the same time on nine consecutive days around the Winter Solstice.

FourWinds Jan 30, 2003 11:23:35

Replying to FourWinds

This is because of the width of the roof box and the passage. If the passage was really narrow and the sunlight only entered the chamber on *one* day then that would have been truly amazing. As it is it's just amazing :-)

Squid Tempest Jan 30, 2003 11:37:41

Replying to FourWinds

OK, I get it. Thanks 4Ws, sorry for stoopidity!

Squid

BlueGloves Jan 30, 2003 11:54:35

Replying to FourWinds

and those nine days are just about the length of the present day Christmas festival - alright then - twelve.

I'm working on the theory that stone monuments were 'roughed out' in drystone often, to test alignments and appearance. Sighting posts may have been made by this method and would leave virtually no archaeological 'signature'. Just because they're not needed doesn't mean that they weren't used. 'Measure twice, cut once'.

I know that the horizons were marked in the North Pennines by these curricks - but I don't know why these markers are there. When they're in place they are excellent almost-unconscious reference points.

By moving round in a landscape, and finding the best spot to see them all from, is an excellent way of tracing back to relic monuments. It takes weeks of fieldwork though. And it's only possible in a relatively unpopulated area, otherwise the stone would quickly have been reused, usually as wall.

david !