Stonehenge forum 180 room
Image by Chance
Stonehenge

Stone Shifting 3

close
more_vert
GordonP G
GordonP Sep 5, 2003 20:44:41
Replying to Steve Gray

If the holes say no then no it is. However in the BBC experiment a ramp was needed to plant stone 56. That means the archaeologists think a ramp or some means of elevating the stone above ground level was necessary for this stone to be planted.

If that is the case, then we are much better of than we were yesterday. Using the tower method instead of ramps is still revolutionary. We can prove that it is miles quicker, easier and much more efficient. Plus we only have to acchieve an angle of perhaps 70 or 80 degrees, I've already acchieved around 80 degrees by pure guesswork. How much manpower is needed to pull a stone from 80 degrees to 90. Whatever the figure we use levers to reduce the manpower requirements to less than fifty.

Hole 27 might be the best thing since sliced bread. Best of all it will please Nigel

S Steve Gray
Steve Gray Sep 5, 2003 23:41:53
Replying to GordonP

I have to say, Gordon, I'm impressed by your style. You bounce back like a trampoline.

I have calculated a few figures for you to ponder. The first set shows the pulling force needed to raise a stone from various angles assuming that a rope is attached to the top of the stone and is pulling at an angle of 10 degrees below horizontal:

Angle Pulling force (tons)
70 7.9
75 5.7
80 3.7
85 1.8

The second set shows how the pulling force can be reduced if a simple A-frame is used just to change the direction of pull so that it is perpendicular to the stone:

Angle Pulling force (tons)
70 6.8
75 5.2
80 3.5
85 1.7

You will notice that the A-frame is more effective at low angles, but becomes less so as the stone gets close to being upright.

A person pullling on a horizontal rope and leaning back at an angle of 45 degrees exerts a pulling force of half his own weight. So to exert a force of say 8 tons would need 16 tons of people, a little over 200 at 12 stones each.

There are other possibilities we could consider:

1. Use props and wedges behind the stone to raise it up.

2. Use another stone to load the middle of a tensioned rope. This would amplify the weight of the secondary stone considerably. We could lever it up like the big one, attach it to the rope and then allow its weight to do the work. We would need a damned good ground anchor like another sarsen block. If the erection is not achieved in a single pull we just prop the back of the stone, retension the rope and do it again. I reckon the secondary stone may only need to be a couple of tons. I can work out the numbers if you think it's worth it.