 |
The last type of Megalithic structure was the Cromlech., these are found only in the
British isles and they were the
setting for religious rites. (note ritual areas as the scene of artistic
endeavors like in Lascaux). It is generally respected that the huge
effort to create these was the sort of effort that is generally only
compelled by religious faith (something we will often see throughout
history)
The last and most famous cromlech is called Stonehenge, in Southern England. Stonehenge can be considered to be a work in progress for thousands of years. 3500 - 2900 BCE a nearly continuous circle (henge) was dug into the chalk ground. 3300 - 2140 BCE a silted ditch was added 2580 - 1890 BCE An avenue to the Avon river was created 2850 - 2200 BCE The sandstone (sarsen) circle of Trilithons was erected. "Trilithons are post and lintel formations of stone. 2480 - 1940 BCE A bluestone circle and horseshoe of stones was built within the ring of Trilithons. 2030 - 1520 BCE Rings of outer stones were added and a center altar stone Stonehenge was originally aligned so that it’s heel stone (which was there since the beginning, would align with the major and minor northern moonrises. However at some later point the heelstone was moved so that it matched the rise of the sun during the summer solstice. |
