Re: Ball bearings used to build Stonehenge | Forum

Sanctuary wrote:

tjj wrote:

moss wrote:

Its only another theory but interesting nevertheless.......

"Scientists showed how balls placed in grooved wooden tracks would have allowed the easy movement of stones weighing many tons."

http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/headlines/8675263.Ball_bearings_used_to_build_Stonehenge_says_expert/?ref=rss

It seems the first known use of the wheel was in Mespotamia in 3,500BC
http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/wheel.htm
Did wheel technology make it to Britain by the time Stonehenge was built? Because if the wheel wasn't being used then ball bearings seem a little sophisticated. There was a theory a while back that the stones were rolled on logs - seems more feasible.

It's not the 1st of April is it? The theory of ball bearings between two 'planks' sounds good but let's just stop and think about it a minute. Firstly, you have to chop down a huge tree with a stone axe. Then out of that tree you make very precise planks shall we say 12" wide by 4" thick, again with a stone axe...then you have to chop out the grooves for the stone bearings to run in , again with a stone axe. Now bearings only work between two 'tracks' if they are absolutely precise. Are you going to get that with a stone axe. NO WAY!
If we had come up with that idea we'd be laughed at!!

Plus the suggestion of carved stone balls being used for the purpose is equally daft ,there has only been just over 400 found , mostly in the N.E . and none in Wiltshire , they can be very decorative and many have knobs on (not ideal for rolling ) .