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Showing posts with the label Stone Circles

Unveiling the Enigmatic Stones of Bodmin Moor

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England's mystical Bodmin Moor holds secrets older than time, whispered on the wind and etched in the weathered faces of ancient stones. While Stonehenge may steal the spotlight, the enigmatic stone circles and standing stones scattered across the moor offer an equally captivating journey into the past. A Landscape Steeped in Prehistory: Imagine rolling hills cloaked in mist, granite tors piercing the sky, and the whispers of forgotten rituals clinging to the air. This is the setting for Bodmin Moor's ancient stones, dating back to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages (4500-800 BC). From massive stone circles to solitary monoliths, these silent sentinels stand as testaments to a way of life lost to time. Circles of Wonder: Among the most captivating are the Hurlers , three concentric rings of granite giants guarding the moor's secrets. Each stone whispers stories of astronomical alignments, ceremonial gatherings, or even a celestial calendar. Their true purpose remai

Stones of Avebury

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Avebury is a village in the county of Wiltshire in England known for containing a significant number of ancient monuments. The most famous monument is the Avebury Stone Circle. Avebury Stone Circle is the world's largest stone circle, comprising of other monuments within it, including a cove and two stone circles. The stone circle is located inside the henge that encircles part of Avebury village. Some stones at Avebury have names and these names are based on the stories that are related to the stones. Most of the stones are part of the stone circles. But two of them form a stone setting that is believed to be older than the stone circles. DEVIL'S CHAIR This stone got its name from a naturally formed seat on one side of the stone. Directly above the seat is a hole known as "chimney". Legend has it that if you run around the stone anti-clockwise, you will summon the Devil. RING STONE The Ring Stone is a broken piece of stone once smashed by an enraged church minister.

Exploring Mitchell's Fold Stone Circle

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High on the dramatic moorlands of Shropshire, England, stands a silent sentinel to millennia past - Mitchell's Fold Stone Circle. This awe-inspiring monument, built over 3,000 years ago during the Bronze Age, is a powerful reminder of the rich history that lies beneath our feet. Originally comprised of some 30 stones, today Mitchell's Fold boasts 15 standing stones arranged in a rough circle. Though the reasons behind its construction remain shrouded in mystery, it likely served as a focal point for rituals and ceremonies for the Bronze Age communities who called this land home. Theories abound about the circle's purpose. Perhaps it was a celestial calendar, aligned with the movements of the sun and moon. Maybe it served as a sacred space for gatherings and celebrations. Or, it could have been a place of burial or ancestor worship. The whispers of the past ignite our imaginations. Adding to the intrigue is the local folklore surrounding Mitchell's Fold. Legend tells of

The Enigmatic Stones of the Cerrig Duon Complex

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Nestled amidst the rolling hills of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales lies an ancient mystery: the Cerrig Duon Complex. This captivating collection of Bronze Age monuments, dating back to 2500-800 BC, offers a glimpse into the lives and beliefs of our distant ancestors. The heart of the complex is the Cerrig Duon stone circle, aptly named "Black Stones" in Welsh. Unlike the perfect circles we often envision, this arrangement is oval-shaped, with roughly 20 small stones standing about 2 feet tall. While some believe additional stones were added later, the circle's true origins and purpose remain shrouded in the mists of time. Standing proudly north of the circle is Maen Mawr, meaning "Big Stone." This impressive monolith reaches a height of nearly 2 meters and dwarfs the surrounding stones. Adding to the intrigue are two smaller stones aligned with Maen Mawr, forming a short stone row. But the complex doesn't stop there. Further exploration reveals th

Lesser Known Ancient Sites in Wiltshire

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Wiltshire is home to some of the most impressive ancient sites in England. Some of them are well known and attract thousands of visitors every year. But there are also some lesser known sites that are worth a closer look. LANHILL LONG BARROW Lanhill Long Barrow also known as Hubba's Low, is a Neolithic chambered long barrow constructed about 5,000 years ago. Evidence suggests that the barrow had three burial chambers, but only one survives. Unfortunately much of the barrow was destroyed by farmers over the last centuries. It was once included among the most important antiquities in Wiltshire. The barrow was partially excavated in 1909. Several human skeletons were found in the chambers. COATE STONE CIRCLE Coate Stone Circle is a partly visible stone circle containing five recumbent sarsen stones. Based on his observations in the 1890s, the antiquarian A. D. Passmore suggested that the circle would have once contained over thirty stones. He recorded nine stones surviving as part of

Top Ancient Sites in Cornwall

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Cornwall is a county in Southwest England and it's known for its beautiful landscape and also for the huge amount of ancient sites. Cornwall is a delight for explorers and people interested in learning more about life in ancient times. Here we list 9 ancient sites that are totally worth a visit. MEN-AN-TOL Men-an-Tol consists of four granite stones: a holed stone with two upright stones to each side arranged in a line and a fallen stone at the foot of one of the upright stones. It's believed that this monument dates to either the late Neolithic or the early Bronze Age period. The real purpose of this arrangement is unknown. It's believed that this site was used for ritual and ceremonial purposes. Legend has it that the holed stone can cure children suffering from rickets if they are passed through the hole nine times. The stone was also believed to increase women's fertility. TRETHEVY QUOIT Trethevy Quoit is an impressive portal dolmen (cromlech) consisting of five stan

England's Ancient Healing Stones

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England's landscape is steeped in history, whispering tales of bygone eras. But beyond the majestic castles and crumbling ruins lie silent sentinels: stones imbued with a mysterious power – the power to heal. For millennia, cultures across the globe have attributed healing properties to various crystals and minerals. England is no exception. Evidence suggests our ancestors not only appreciated the beauty of these stones, but also believed they held the key to wellness. Rock Crystal: A Window to the Soul Unearthed at Dorstone Hill, Herefordshire, lie hundreds of rock crystal fragments – the largest such discovery in Britain. These translucent beauties weren't crafted into tools, but rather placed near burials, hinting at a deeper purpose. Perhaps the Neolithic people saw them as conduits to the spirit world, or maybe they valued their clarity for promoting clear thinking and inner peace. Stonehenge: More Than Just a Monument Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is shrouded

Top Ancient Sites in Wiltshire

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If you are on the lookout for places to bother stones, Wiltshire is certainly one of the best destinations in Great Britain. Wiltshire is a historic county in England known for the stunning prehistoric landscape and the ancient sites. It's a place to wander around and explore England's past. STONEHENGE Stonehenge is an obvious choice for this list. This impressive monument is part of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England. Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument consisting of a ring of massive standing stones and horizontal stone lintels capping the outer circle. Two different types of stone (bluestones and sarsens) were used to build it. Archaeologists believe it was constructed from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. AVEBURY HENGE AND STONE CIRCLES Avebury is a Neolithic henge monument containing three stone circles. It's believed that the complex was constructed between 2850 BC and 2200 BC. The henge survives as a huge circular bank and ditch. Within the h

Unveiling the Mystery of Gray Hill Stone Circle

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High up on the edge of Wentwood in Wales, overlooking the sprawling Severn Estuary, lies a monument shrouded in time - the Gray Hill Stone Circle. Dating back to the Bronze Age, around 4,000 years ago, this circle of stones stands as a silent testament to the lives and beliefs of an ancient people. The circle itself is around 32 feet in diameter, with nine stones laid out on the circumference. Unlike some stone circles where the stones stand tall and proud, these stones rest on their sides, forming a low wall. One intriguing feature is a solitary standing stone positioned just outside the circle, accompanied by a larger "outlier" stone nearby. Archaeologists believe this outlying stone may have served as a marker or even part of an entrance to a chamber tomb once located within the circle. The purpose of Gray Hill Stone Circle, like many prehistoric monuments, remains an enigma. Theories range from serving as a ceremonial site for astronomical alignments to a place of burial

Top Ancient Sites in Oxfordshire

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Oxfordshire is a landlocked county in the region of Southeast England. The county is mostly known for being home to the city of Oxford and its prestigious university. But the county is also home to extensive prehistoric landscapes and ancient sites. Here is a list of the top ancient sites in this amazing county. ROLLRIGHT STONES The Rollright Stones consist of a complex of three Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments. The monuments are known as the King's Men, the Whispering Knights and the King Stone. The three monuments were built at different periods in late prehistory from local oolitic limestone and had distinct purposes. The Whispering Knights was the first of the monuments to be constructed in the area. The monument consist of the remains of a Neolithic portal dolmen used as a place of burial. Evidence suggests that the Whispering Knights is one of the earliest funerary monuments in Britain. It was constructed around 3,500 BC. The King's Men Stone Circle is a circle of about