Re: Pi in the sky | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Stonehenge 180

Image by The Eternal

Stone Shifting 2

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Steve Gray Aug 31, 2003 20:48:19

Replying to baza

> I reckon that a flimsy, unsafe tower, 12 feet high, would require a minimum of 72 logs of 1 foot diameter, over one third of which would be about 30 feet long (and that`s assuming that the logs can carry the weight). As for a platform for the `oarsmen`, it seems that we`re going to cheat by hiring some scaffolding.

We are not planning to build a flimsy, unsafe tower. There will be two independent towers, so most of the logs will be only 15' or so. The bedrock is chalk which should provide a good, stable footing. The logs will probably be of the order of 6". The weight is carried primarily at the points of intersection of the logs and the compressive strength of timber is well up to the task. It is my intention that the towers will be braced to the ground with diagonal timber shoring every 4 feet or so, and that the support logs will be dowelled together in the layer where these shores are attached. The sheer weight acting at the intersections will provide sufficient friction to hold the other layers together. It is not my intention to "cheat" as you put it. I suggested only that we *might have to* use scaffolding towers to comply with health and safety regulations. I think that elevating a 40 ton stone on logs is sufficient proof without also having to demonstrate that we could lift 40 people on log platforms, but if health and safety issues can be resolved, then I'm all for being as authentic as possible, if only to thwart the critics.

> I`ll try not to mention this again, but you should settle for moving a 40 ton stone over Salisbury Plain, an enormous task, first. If you can do that, you`ll get the funding for tackling the far more difficult and expensive problem of raising a trilithon.

I agree that this would be a good precursor to the main event. We should see how far we can row it in a day. Rowing it a few feet would not be very convincing, but a whole day with the same team would give a much more realistic measure of how good the method really is.

> Anyway, the sooner we get a small team together to actually get some practise in shifting stones about, the better.

OK, baz, looks like we have four or five volunteers so far, how many more from this thread can we count on? We need 10 to row the 10 tonner that Gordon is lining up at Derby.

baza Aug 31, 2003 21:38:04

Replying to Steve Gray

>We are not planning to build a flimsy, unsafe tower.

That`s probably the main difference beteween `then` and `now`. They didn`t have H&S regulations to take into consideration.

I was just trying to get some idea of the bare minimum amount of good quality logs, of equal straight length and diameter, which would be required to get the job done. I assumed that for every fulcrum point (on one side of the stone) we`d need a log going under the width of the stone (to its equivalent fulcrum point on the other side), for support.

If two towers are used, it`ll be difficult to get them in full alignment without some prior preparation of the ground.

Whatever method is used, I wanted to point out that a very large amount of sorted timber is going to be required.

Gordon still seems to think that it can all be done in a day. No chance!

baz

nigelswift Aug 31, 2003 22:07:13

Replying to Steve Gray

Afraid I can't be a rower, as I have a doctor's note...

However, I can supply make-weight Neanderthals, if required, as I said. I suspect you'll get plenty from this site though. It might pay to place a classified ad outside this thread, in case some people aren't following it.

I'd be happy to produce headed notepaper and a logo, in fact a selection for you to choose from Gordon.

Permission to incorporate TMA in the title might not be all that straightforward, we'll have to see what is said. Also about the title, do you think it would be helpful if it made the nature of the project clearer by mentioning Stonehenge as well? And perhaps a subheading for the stone-rowing period, something like...

The Stonehenge Project (Solstice 2004)
Phase 1: Re-enacting the Arrival of the Stones.

grrr Sep 1, 2003 09:54:00

Replying to Steve Gray

>how many more from this thread can we count on?

I'm very interested. A fair way from Derby, but will get there if possible.

Been away for a week, so still catching up with the thread. It's all looking very exciting!