STONE BOTHERING

Neolithic polishing stones, also known as polissoirs, are large stones that were used by Neolithic people to sharpen and polish their stone tools, such as axes, adzes, and chisels. These stones are typically made of hard, durable materials such as sandstone, granite, or quartzite. They often have a smooth, concave surface that was created by repeated use. Polissoirs are found all over the world, but they are particularly common in Europe and Asia. They are thought to have been used from around 10,000 to 5,000 years ago, during the Neolithic period. This was a time when humans were transitioning from a nomadic lifestyle to a more settled one, and they were developing new technologies, such as agriculture and pottery. Polishing stones were an essential tool for the Neolithic people. Sharp, polished stone tools were essential for felling trees, clearing land for farming, building houses, and making other tools and weapons. Polishing stones were also used to make ceremonial objects, such a

Nestled amidst the vibrant city of Cuenca, Ecuador, lie the enigmatic Ruinas de Todos Santos (Ruins of All Saints). Unlike Cuenca's grand colonial architecture, these ruins whisper of a bygone era, beckoning us to unravel their story. But what civilization built them, and what purpose did they serve? Unfortunately, the exact origins of Ruinas de Todos Santos remain shrouded in mystery. Archaeological evidence suggests they may date back to the Cañari culture, who inhabited the region before the Inca conquest. The Cañari were known for their impressive stonework, and some experts believe the ruins might have been a ceremonial center or a complex of dwellings. However, another theory posits that the ruins were actually constructed by the Incas themselves. The Inca Empire incorporated conquered territories into their vast network, often adapting existing structures. Their architectural style is characterized by precise stonework with tight-fitting joints, features that some have obser

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 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

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

Wales is home to some fascinating ancient sites, including stone circles and dolmens (cromlechs). A dolmen is a type of single-chamber tomb, usually consisting of two or more vertical stones supporting a large horizontal capstone. Here we list five dolmens that are worth a visit when travelling in Wales. TINKINSWOOD BURIAL CHAMBER Tinkinswood Burial Chamber was built around 6,000 years ago, during the Neolithic period. The capstone weighs approximately 40 tons and measures 24 feet. It's the largest capstone in Britain. It was originally all covered by a mound of soil. The site was excavated in 1914, revealing human bones, along with broken pottery and flint tools. ST LYTHANS BURIAL CHAMBER St Lythans Burial Chamber is a dolmen built as part of a chambered long barrow. It was built around 4,000 BC by the first farmers in Wales called the Silures. The dolmen consists of three upright stones supporting a large capstone. At the top of the rear stone is a porthole which may have been us

King Arthur's Cave is a limestone cave with a double interconnected entrance and two main chambers located in an area of limestone cliffs that were formed 345 million years ago. The caves in this area were cut into the rock by a river flowing along the base of the cliffs. Over time the river dissolved the limestone to form King Arthur's Cave and others. There is evidence that the cave was inhabited from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age period. Bones found during excavations suggest that humans sat around a fire eating red deer about 12,000 years ago. Flint tools and pottery from the Neolithic period were also found in the cave. The cave was excavated in 1871 by Reverend William Symonds. He unearthed bones from lion, giant deer, hyena and bones of ice age animals like woolly rhinoceros, cave bear and woolly mammoth. In the Victorian Era the cave was known as Hyena's Den. It's unclear why its name was changed to King Arthur's Cave. The cave is located in a nat