Re: The bluestone debate | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Stonehenge and its Environs 134

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The bluestone debate

tiompan Dec 14, 2008 00:05:55

Replying to mountainman

mountainman wrote:

In fact, the availability of stone was the prime factor in fixing location. Why should Stonehenge have been any different?

Whilst I accept the possiblity of the glaciation theory in relation to Stonehenge , that doesn't mean that great efforts didn't take place to move stones long distances . The is plenty proof of that .
Choosing a site like Stonehenge had very likely nothing to do with the availability of stone . A common feature of monumentality is an earlier timber structure that was late rreplaced by stone , in these type of circumstances it is apparent that the site was primary not the availibility of stone . This could also be applicable to Stonehenge due to the earliest presence of wooden features i.e. the timber posts dating from the Mesolithic .

Littlestone Dec 14, 2008 00:28:00

Replying to tiompan

Choosing a site like Stonehenge had very likely nothing to do with the availability of stone.

That's an interesting observation Mr t.

Earlier in the year I sat for a while near the edge of Stonehenge and, while marvelling at its structure (just sit there for a while and look - it may not be big in modern terms but it is enormous by any other definition), couldn't help asking myself - why here? I can see why Avebury, and especially Silbury, may have been set where they are but Stonehenge? Forget for a moment the question of moving or not moving the bluestones from Preseli - what on earth was so special about this place that inspired the builders of Stonehenge to build there?

nigelswift Dec 14, 2008 02:35:49

Replying to tiompan

tiompan wrote:

Choosing a site like Stonehenge had very likely nothing to do with the availability of stone . A common feature of monumentality is an earlier timber structure that was late rreplaced by stone , in these type of circumstances it is apparent that the site was primary not the availibility of stone .

Quite. Using two types of carpentry joints in a stone structure is a heck of a clue.

Plus, the gap between the dates of Stonehenge and the Mesolithic posts is shrinking. Maybe one day it will close. If so, the relevant question will be why were the posts located there.