Tuesday, October 17, 2006
STONEHENGE.
Yesterday I mentioned that we has passed by the ancient temple of stones on our way to Wiltshire.
Many people pass Stonehenge every day.
It now seems most unfortunate that over 2,000 years ago the ancient Britains should build their stunning temple to the sun at a spot where 2 major trunk roads now meet up, with Stonehenge standing in the angle where the 2 roads join.
There are dreams of making things better - a new road further away perhaps or even a tunnel for the road. These ideas would be costly to fulfil and I doubt that I shall ever see it happen.
The full purpose of Stonehenge and the way that it was constructed are shrouded in mystery. Over 2,000 years ago it would have required the work of thousands of men. We know that the stones themselves were carried about 200 miles from West Wales. They are huge stones, weighing a great deal and must have been difficult to manouvre across the country and then into place on the Stonehenge site. One can only wonder at the techniques used to lift the cross stones at the top into position.
What we do know is that at sunrise on the longest day - the Summer Solstice, the sun rises exactly over the most important stone. There are still people today who claim to be Druids and for that night only people are allowed to perform ancient Druid rites amongst the stones.
Every other day visitors must now keep behind a fence circling the stones.
It was not always so.
There are many web sites giving information about Stonehenge. Wikipedia is very good for basic facts.
Although we pass by quite often, there is still a tingle within at being so close to ancient history.
And in 1965 it was still possible to feel really close to the ancient Druids.
This picture was taken on 15th August, the day after our wedding.
Many people pass Stonehenge every day.
It now seems most unfortunate that over 2,000 years ago the ancient Britains should build their stunning temple to the sun at a spot where 2 major trunk roads now meet up, with Stonehenge standing in the angle where the 2 roads join.
There are dreams of making things better - a new road further away perhaps or even a tunnel for the road. These ideas would be costly to fulfil and I doubt that I shall ever see it happen.
The full purpose of Stonehenge and the way that it was constructed are shrouded in mystery. Over 2,000 years ago it would have required the work of thousands of men. We know that the stones themselves were carried about 200 miles from West Wales. They are huge stones, weighing a great deal and must have been difficult to manouvre across the country and then into place on the Stonehenge site. One can only wonder at the techniques used to lift the cross stones at the top into position.
What we do know is that at sunrise on the longest day - the Summer Solstice, the sun rises exactly over the most important stone. There are still people today who claim to be Druids and for that night only people are allowed to perform ancient Druid rites amongst the stones.
Every other day visitors must now keep behind a fence circling the stones.
It was not always so.
There are many web sites giving information about Stonehenge. Wikipedia is very good for basic facts.
Although we pass by quite often, there is still a tingle within at being so close to ancient history.
And in 1965 it was still possible to feel really close to the ancient Druids.This picture was taken on 15th August, the day after our wedding.
