11 replies to this topic

[stonecarver]

If some (or all) of the so-called Stonehenge bluestones came from Wales, considering the other archaeological evidence of emerging tribal power... in the form of an increasingly stratified society (high-status grave goods etc), perhaps the removal of stones from a site from Wales (as suggested by some) indicates there was an emerging power-base in Wessex that had been in conflict with the inhabitants of the Preseli region in Wales and after a conflict - removed their most sacred site and transplanted it in Wessex as a result of a victorious military campaign and to celebrate their victory.

The ancient Greeks (and later the Romans) practised this...

A new book by Anthony Harding (Bronze Age Warfare) is really excellent reading on the subject of ancient conflict and the archaeological evidence.

Maybe this would explain why stones were taken from Wales to Wessex?

[stonecarver]

More information of the most recent research regarding the 'bluestones' of Stonehenge can be found here:-

http://www.netcomuk....uestones59.html

[henge]

I have only had a quick look at the article  but it's no big problem to transport the 'bluestones' from S/Wales - I tested out all I could at the time, from rowing/sailing around the coastal route. The 'experiments' that followed by others were not very good - I remember them loosing one stone, not very convincing.

The idea of a 'glacial' delivery service - consider it done, is beyond me. I assume they must have put out a delivery and awaited the next ice-age.

Also to say more than the bluestones came from Wales without clear supporting evidence is also - to me unacceptable.

By staying with facts its all possible to prove that the bluestone were transported by sea. I spent a lot of time in small boats and was an engineer officer in the merchant navy many years ago.

[Maju]

No need to think in a plunder, I think: at that time Wales and SE England were the same social and cultural reality as far as I can tell. Most likely the priest-lords of Britain (or SE Britain) just brought those stones becuase they were beautiful and maybe even got a sacred meaning. But rather than plunder them, I'd think in quarrying them ex-professo for their temple-observatory.

[shiny]

I've just been reading somewhere, that Ireland's famous "Blarney Stone" is a bluestone.


  http://www.telegraph...wblarney121.xml


  And by inference so is Scotland's "Stone of Scone". (Stone of Destiny).

[Maju]

I think I've mentioned elsewhere that dolerite (or however it's called in US english), commonly "bluestone" (even if it's actually green) was very frequently used as prestige material in the European Chalcolithic, specially for "ritual" axes (in many different parts of the continent, megalithist or not). It's just a semiprecious stone but in that time it was surely considered quite valuable and may have got some sort of religious meaning.

[CarpetShark]

Maju, on 24 February 2008, 11:23, said:

I think I've mentioned elsewhere that dolerite (or however it's called in US english), commonly "bluestone" (even if it's actually green) was very frequently used as prestige material in the European Chalcolithic, specially for "ritual" axes (in many different parts of the continent, megalithist or not). It's just a semiprecious stone but in that time it was surely considered quite valuable and may have got some sort of religious meaning.

I remember reading somewhere that when polished, dolorite sparkles nicely; it looks 'impressive'. I agree with Mahu in that these stones likely were of great religious significance, and were therefore carefully chosen for ritual pieces (axe heads etc.) and of course, Stonehenge. Why else would the builders of SH use them ?

[Maju]

They were a fashionable material. In fact dolerite (or diabas, as it's called in German and US English) seems still to be used widely. But what I see through searching is that its aspect varies wildly.

This Australian rock may approach the idea I had of dolerite:



... as do these Shetland ritual knives (the one at the left actually):


(source: Beorgs of Uyea)

... or this modern floor slab:



But this other "diabase" axe is very different looking:



And I have seen many other "bluestones", "diabases" or "dolerites" while searching that have quite diferent aspects as well.

[CarpetShark]

Great pics! The dolorite I was thinking of is the blue floor stone you have here. Now if I could only remember where I read that....probably in Hengeworld...

[shiny]

http://news.bbc.co.u...ech/7322134.stm

  

[Maju]

shiny, on 31 March 2008, 13:17, said:

http://news.bbc.co.u...ech/7322134.stm

  

"Theories about Stonehenge are cheap; proof is precious"

Hope they get something clear from this study, really.

[shiny]

If Bluestone was so prized for it's healing qualities, that people, like the Amesbury archer, limped across Europe to try the cures, then surely there would be many other sites where the remedies could be available.

Do any spring to mind?