snowhenge

Stonehenge 180

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follow that cow Jun 28, 2005 21:39:25

With all the recent publicity about the 'Stonehengineers' and the fantastic effort that they have been putting into our quest for a greater understanding of the mechanics required to move 40 ton stone blocks without the use of wheels, roads (?) or domesticated animals.

I was reflecting on the possibility of the stones been moved in the winter months
using sledges on snow.

Anyone ever came across this idea before?

The climate then, as far as I'm aware, was a lot more continental, in that the summers were hotter and drier and the winters were colder.

Any thoughts?

FTC

FourWinds Jun 28, 2005 22:01:07

Replying to follow that cow

It has been proposed before. It was metioned recently on the (shiver) "other side" as well in a thread about the Channel 5 shows.

Moth Jun 28, 2005 22:12:44

Replying to follow that cow

It has been talked about on the stonehengineers board, but I can't remember what was said.... There was a strong argument against it, but my mind's blank. Surprise!

love

Moth

fitzcoraldo Jun 28, 2005 22:42:38

Replying to follow that cow

Sledges were used on the North York Moors to transport peat from the high moors to the dale bottoms. A few of the high moorland paths are still known as sledge paths.
If I remember rightly sledges were also used to transport slate from the High Cumbrian fells.

Ishmael Jun 29, 2005 00:19:44

Replying to follow that cow

During the stonerowing experiment I got talking to a farmer from Bodmin who told me that he regularly moves 6 to 8 ton stones out of fields with great ease using only 4 people.
The secret was Shite. Cow/Sheep/Goat anyones.
He said they create a rope harness around the stone and tether individual ropes for each person to pull on, preferably made out of cowhide as these type of ropes are easier to wind around the hands and get a better grip than several people holding onto one big rope.
They then lay a trail of shite and piss and turn the ground to a slurry and the stone is then very easy to drag.
I'd never thought of that before and I will be going to see this in action soon.
Add a couple of Uoroks and/or steers and some blokes with levers for rough terrain and I can see that big stones could be moved quite quickly over a great distance.

Wotcha fink?

baza Jun 29, 2005 00:35:57

Replying to follow that cow

I just can't see how it'd be possible for us to have hotter and drier summers AND colder winters.

Can anyone?

Baz

Pilgrim Jun 29, 2005 10:33:44

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Hi, FTC,

My imeadeate reaction to this is "No" due mainly to the effects of cold (and continued exposure to same) on the people and animals involved - I know I don't work well for long outside in the winter! Then there's the matter of food - would they have had to carry it with them (which means growing it in the seasons before the journey and storing it)? Or would the be able to get enough from the surroundings in winter (supposing it was all their territory)?
As to the delights of defecatory dragging development, how much food is needed to produce a slide for a fifty ton stone. I think it would take a large number of oxen/aurochs (some with severe bowel problems) delivering dung on a regular basis. We should be able to check out this theory by seeing a narrow band of high density foliage stretching from Avebury to Stonehenge! ;-)

Peace

Pilgrim

tiompan Jun 29, 2005 23:01:41

Replying to follow that cow

This bloke may have been mentioned before , but this old sceptic still can't see any wires . http://www.theforgottentechnology.com/Page1.htm