EPIC MEGALITHIC JOURNEY through Britain & Ireland: Standing with Stones
The Prehistory Guys・68 minutes read
Prehistoric sites in the British Isles hold various mysteries and unique structures, with differing opinions on their origins and purposes amid rich archaeological heritage. Examples like Stonehenge, Avebury, and Newgrange showcase ancient sophistication, rituals, and connections to nature and ancestors.
Insights
- Ancient sites hold mysteries due to incomplete understanding, requiring light to uncover clues but offering only fragmented insights into their true nature.
- The British Isles possess a diverse archaeological heritage with a mix of familiar and enigmatic sites, showcasing rich historical significance and varied interpretations.
- Various prehistoric structures across England and Wales, from stone circles to burial grounds, reflect the intricate communities and beliefs of ancient civilizations, sparking debates and differing opinions on their origins and functions.
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Recent questions
What are some unique features of the Ballowall Barrow at Lands End?
The Ballowall Barrow at Lands End is a distinctive structure that contains burials and Bronze Age artifacts, possibly in use for over 2,000 years. This site offers a glimpse into ancient practices and rituals, shedding light on the cultural significance of burial sites in prehistoric communities.
How do the stone rows and settlements in Dartmoor provide insights into ancient communities?
Dartmoor in England is rich in prehistoric structures like stone circles, settlements, and stone roads, offering valuable insights into past communities. The stone rows, settlements, and structures found in Dartmoor hint at the existence of a fully rounded ancient community, showcasing the architectural and societal complexity of prehistoric civilizations in the region.
What is the significance of Avebury in Wiltshire compared to Stonehenge?
Avebury, not Stonehenge, is considered the true henge in Wiltshire, serving as a grand ceremonial site with a deep ditch and raised bank. The wooden posts at Avebury suggest a spectator area for events, possibly blood sports, with a design reminiscent of the Colosseum. This site provides a unique perspective on ancient rituals and gatherings, showcasing the diverse ceremonial practices of prehistoric communities in the area.
How do burial grounds like Pretty 9 Burrows in England reflect the relationship between the living and the dead?
Burial grounds like Pretty 9 Burrows in England demonstrate a structured relationship between the living and the dead, highlighting the importance of honoring ancestors and preserving cultural heritage. These sites serve as a testament to the significance of burial practices in ancient societies, offering valuable insights into the beliefs and traditions of prehistoric communities in England.
What is the historical significance of Newgrange in Ireland?
Newgrange in Ireland showcases Neolithic sophistication, featuring astronomical alignments and megalithic art that reflect the advanced knowledge and skills of ancient civilizations. This site serves as a testament to the cultural and architectural achievements of prehistoric communities in Ireland, offering a glimpse into the intricate rituals and beliefs of the past.
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Summary
00:00
Unraveling Mysteries of Ancient British Sites
- Prehistoric sites hold mysteries due to lack of understanding, needing light to reveal clues but unable to provide a complete picture.
- Modern architecture's longevity could lead to confusion in the future, as seen in ancient sites that look similar but may have had different functions.
- The British Isles boast a rich archaeological heritage, with various mysterious and familiar sites.
- The film aims to explore and experience ancient sites, offering unique perspectives and contentious ideas.
- The Ballowall Barrow at Lands End is a unique structure with burials and Bronze Age artifacts, possibly in use for 2,000 years.
- The complexity of ancient sites often leads to differing opinions on their origins and purposes.
- Dartmoor in England is rich in prehistoric structures like stone circles, settlements, and stone roads, offering insights into past communities.
- Dartmoor's stone rows, settlements, and structures hint at a fully rounded ancient community's existence.
- Various prehistoric sites in England, like Men-an-Tol and Yellowmead, showcase the effort and time ancient communities invested in creating them.
- Neglected ancient sites like Nolton Henge and Nine Stones in Dorset reflect a loss of social importance over the centuries, despite their historical significance.
25:02
Ancient Stones: Mysteries of Prehistoric Britain
- London Stone, of unknown origin, has been in London for a long time, part of a larger stone broken in the 18th century.
- Folklore suggests London Stone was part of a stone circle or Brutus's palace, used for measurements in London.
- Stonehenge, while famous, is just one of many prehistoric sites in Britain, including woodhenge, West Kennet Long Barrow, and Silbury Hill.
- Avebury, not Stonehenge, is the true henge in Wiltshire, a grand ceremonial site with a deep ditch and raised bank.
- Avebury's wooden posts suggest a spectator area for events, possibly blood sports, with a design similar to the Colosseum.
- Wiltshire's chalk lands, rich in flint, were likely a hub of prehistoric Britain, with a shift to a warrior culture in the Bronze Age.
- Burial grounds like Pretty 9 Burrows and temple structures in England show a structured relationship between the living and the dead.
- Cotswolds-style tombs like Wayland's Smithy and Stony Littleton feature specific burial chamber arrangements based on age and gender.
- Historical figures like William Blake drew inspiration from ancient monuments like the Rollright Stones, steeped in folklore and mystery.
- Welsh stone circles, like Ponte Please and Tinkins Wood, are part of a rich folklore tradition, with connections to the bardic tradition and Neolithic practices.
44:44
Ancient Megaliths: Mysteries of Wales and Beyond
- Stonehenge is located 135 miles away and the blue stones there are believed to have originated from Wales.
- Merlin, a figure from Welsh folklore, is linked to Stonehenge's construction before his portrayal as a wizard in Arthurian legend.
- Dolmens, known as cromlechs in Wales, are remnants of ancient structures, with examples like the Priscilla's and the large capstone at Pant-y-Fan.
- Stone circles like the one at Multi HF differ from enclosures like the one at Knowlton Henge in Dorset, showcasing varied structures.
- Druidic connections in Wales are evident, with sites like the Druid Circle reflecting ancient beliefs and traditions.
- The Roman invasion led to conflicts with the Druids, culminating in a final battle on the Isle of Anglesey.
- The discovery of a fossilized tree trunk at Bryn Celli Ddu hints at ancient rituals and beliefs, possibly involving symbolic elements.
- Ben Cassidy is a significant site with a complex history, evolving from a henge to a chambered cairn over millennia.
- Castle Rudder II reveals intriguing details like drilled stones, suggesting shared rituals across different megalithic sites.
- Ireland boasts a multitude of megalithic sites, with over 1,500 recorded in County Sligo alone, showcasing a rich archaeological heritage.
01:05:47
Ancient Sites and Cultures Across Europe
- Rome, Bahrain, and County Galway have distinct atmospheres influenced by their positions.
- Karrimor in Sligo is Ireland's largest megalithic cemetery, dating back over 9,600 years.
- Not an array and Maeve's can in Ireland hold historical significance, possibly linked to Queen Maeve.
- Urbanized man has created an artificial environment, losing connection with nature and ancestors.
- Roman invasion and religious dogma in Britain led to the loss of cultural heritage and connection with ancestors.
- Newgrange in Ireland showcases Neolithic sophistication, with astronomical alignments and megalithic art.
- The Isle of Man boasts unique prehistoric sites, including Cashelton Ard and King Orry's Grave.
- Archaeology and geology provide insights into human history, from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age.
- The Holocene period witnessed significant ancient site construction, like megalithic tombs.
- Formby Point in Liverpool reveals a 6,000-year-old beach with preserved footprints, showcasing ancient human activities.
01:29:34
Ancient British Monuments: Mysteries and Meanings
- Bleasdale in the east of the country features concrete cylinders marking post holes of a larger site that has decayed over time due to the lack of rocks in the area.
- Ancestors in England used wood to construct important sites, leaving no visible traces above ground, potentially leading to wooden versions of stone circles across flat lowlands.
- Early churches used standing stones to instill fear in parishioners, with sites like Merry Maidens, Nine Maidens, and others named to deter sinful activities.
- The Rub Stone Monolith in Britain, brought from Katyn over ten miles away, stands as the tallest stone at nearly 26 feet, possibly holding significance similar to Stonehenge and Avebury.
- Enigmatic prehistoric monuments like the Cursus, varying in length across Britain, may have served important ceremonial or ritual purposes.
- The Tinwald processionary pathway on the Isle of Man, where the world's oldest Parliament walks, may reflect a living example of the Cursus structure.
- Theories suggest that these huge structures like the Cursus could have been early versions of athletic tracks, with raised banks offering clear views to spectators.
- Evidence of a trade route across Britain is found in Langdale Pike, Cumbria, where high-quality axe heads were produced and traded across regions.
- Stone circles like Castle Rig in the Lake District and Long Meg in Scotland, with intricate designs and alignments, hint at potential ceremonial or astronomical functions.
- Interpretation of ancient sites can be challenging due to fragmented pieces of history, leading to varied theories and uncertainties about the true purposes of these structures.
01:51:39
Ancient Stone Circles: Alignments and Mysteries
- RSC stands for Recumbent Stone Circle, a name given by early archaeologists to stone circles with a massive horizontal stone acting as an altar, some weighing up to 50 tons.
- The Grampians had over 150 stone circles, with a high concentration of technically brilliant recumbent stone circles, unique to this region.
- Recumbent stone circles were aligned to mirror the moon's passage through the sky, with precise positioning of stones using smaller ones for accuracy.
- Clava Cairns in the Moray Firth area were massive structures, including ring cairns and passage tombs aligned for winter solstice illumination.
- Stone circles and cairns were adapted over thousands of years, with surrounding stone circles erected later as stone circles generally fell out of use.
- Kalen ish on Lewis Island is a prehistoric observatory marking the full lunar cycle, with monoliths predicting celestial events and intricate alignments.
- Many stone circles in the British Isles have 19 stones, close to marking the lunar cycle, with circles of nine stones possibly adjusting for accuracy.
- Skara Brae in Orkney, a Neolithic village uncovered in 1850, offers a glimpse into daily life with intact houses, communal passageways, and furniture.
- South Ronaldsay's chambered tomb, discovered in 1958, contained human and seagull bones, grave goods, and a museum with relics like polished albertite buttons, showcasing intimate aspects of Neolithic life.
