55 replies to this topic

[Pete G]

well its up to clyde to prove his theory but it is becoming more comical everyday.
I wan't be wasting any more time on it as I have more important things to be doing (like real archaeology)
PeteG

[Jimit]

Clyde,
With my purely "engineering" head on....
In another forum (of which I'm not a member) you suggest that the axle holes for the rollers would be fire/bow drilled. To make a 6 inch diameter by 4 ft long hole in oak would challenge even modern lathe technology.
How could they possibly have done it to the precision required?
The axles would not have been horizontal because to allow for the taper they would have dipped toward the centre.
The rollers would have had to have been remarkably accurate as any "flat" on the circumference would stop it rotating.
The frictional forces especially on the outer "thrust" bearing would have been extreme using only wooden technology.
I think that your estimate of the weight of the carousel is a huge underestimate as you seem to be adding more and more things; men to rig the sails, others to clear and replenish the grain, rakes to clear blockages etc.

I think that you are putting much too reliance on soil samples taken within and at a distance from Stonehenge.
If these were ever done (and it's rather like looking around a mediaeval church for evidence of a nuclear power station) I bet you $1,000 that more grain samples would be found well away from the stones.

May I suggest an experiment? Before you start the hugely expensive process of constructing a much larger model, just make one roller to your specifications using ONLY techniques available at the time. Flint and bronze (unlikely) are your tools.

ANY new theory about Stonehenge or any other of the megalithic remains in this country MUST be rigorous in its explanations of history, archaeology, folklore, practicality, society and yes mechanics.

Jim

[tonyh]

Clyde..

You make references that indicate a need for fire discipline at Stonehenge.

Well, I conclude, that the risk is created by your machine.

If you gather 2000-3000 people together with their combined harvest for the year. Then, you have created a fire risk that would not apply if they had used the known method of grinding grain as required.

Your wet ditch and bank... simply will not work.

At the end of the day and almost certainly in the morning and mid day... Camp fires will be cooking food for the huge host of people gathered.  They have a long, long way to go for the drinking water never mind the 'keep the ditch wet' water...

Toilet arrangements... 'Don't get me started'..

Why on Earth would you do this... When the product you have created is half prepared and is deteriorating because you have now damaged it...

Your machine has created a logistical nightmare that makes no sense and achieves nothing...

[Pete G]

Hi Tony,
welcome to Stonespages.

I think Elvis has left the building....
PeteG

[tonyh]

Hello Pete...

I needed to broaden my horizons..

If Elvis has left the building. I expect it's because he is doing the late shift in our local chippy.

Worked there for years he has. Cod and large Chips- Thank you very much.............

[Pete G]

I didn't think the windmill theory would last very long.
The latest dig found a single grain which is rather poor considering how much should have been left there under the pile of bluestone chippings and sarsen rubble.

Next theory please?
PeteG

[tonyh]

Pete G, on 17 April 2008, 14:27, said:

I didn't think the windmill theory would last very long.
The latest dig found a single grain which is rather poor considering how much should have been left there under the pile of bluestone chippings and sarsen rubble.

Next theory please?
PeteG

I have so many problems with his theory. I have difficulty knowing where to start...

I can visualise the machine in action. The wind filling one of those sails. The sail snaping into the wind.

Crack....

[henge]

The big problems with all of these type of theories is the people who dream them up have no practical experience or have ever worked on a farm to gain some inside information - therefore its pure romantic fiction which attracts a number of simular minded flock to the fold every evening - get out more lads.

I won't go into detail as JIMIT has covered many good points, I may sound a bit harsh but if the objective is to find the truth on SH then the evidence must be objective.

I put down about using Quality Assurance as a means of auditiing any archaeological theory, it all sounds a bit boring (it is) but it objectively sorts out the 'wheat from the chaf' - more than I can say about the SH mill idea.

[henge]

Pete G, on 28 March 2008, 18:34, said:

Silbury hill is a giant multi size doughnut maker and Avebury is a giant mould for a birthday cake!

Hi Pete G

How many 'candles' do you estimate for the cake?

[Pete G]

"How many 'candles' do you estimate for the cake?"

it went up by one every year!
Once 98 had been placed around the edge they then started on the center circles...
PeteG

[Maju]