Re: Yay! | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Stonehenge 181

Image by suave harv

Stone Shifting

GordonP Aug 19, 2003 15:50:08

Replying to nigelswift

From what I have seen of Stonehenge photographs (I have never been) I think the sarsen stones would not need a raft. Some of the bluestones might be difficult without one though.

As far as the weight of the raft is concerned the heavier the better, a few ton either way is immaterial. theoretically a big heavy load is easier in some ways. I would love to have a go at a replica of the Grand menhir Brise. What a challenge!!!

Concerning your growing insanity, I'll tell you a story you might find amusing. I was filling the mould for the 4 ton stone (in the back yard of some business premises I had at the time) when a voice from behind a wall asked,
"What are you making Gordon" it was my neibour Mick, who ran a car repair business.
"A concrete block"
"What for"
"So I can move it over there"
"Why don't you cast it over there"
"Cause when I've moved it over there I'm going to move it back again"
Total silence followed, after that I could swear he always looked at me strangely whenever we met.
Regards Gordon and don't let it worry you.

morfe Aug 19, 2003 19:26:23

Replying to GordonP

Gordon, this thread has opened up a whole can of mental snakes in my head, and I'm having to keep a lid on it for the sake of my marriage ;-)

What I mean is, I've been thinking about the wider implications and reasons from moving these stones all that way. In order to do this, I can only imagine that the incentive was very very strong, it is no mean task! And considering the distance involved, I can't help thinking, either:

a. it was a communal effort supported by (tribes?) people in differing locales (i.e Wales/Wiltshire areas)

b. There was such a small population that itinerant megalithic culture needed only one group to orchestrate and implement the moving and erection.

Also what inspired the work? Were these people self-governing, a collective? Were they ruled by feudal means (I think this unlikely as the land was big and wild) Or were they serving a cause under the jurisdiction of (Druidic?) religious/spiritual goals?

The whole concept (nothing new here by way of enquiry I admit) forces me to think very carefully about many things from that age, i.e: Population, land use, land governance, time use, generational continuity (cultural), labour ethics/needs, social cohesion and/or organisation/s. On and on!

What a great thread, it's like someone just turned the last page on an old and worn book of conjecture, and began a new one with the word "Or..."

:-)