Theory 3 - Astronomical significance
The theory is that Stonehenge had was used for astronomy and as a calendar. The people of the time were advanced and could observe such things as the midsummer and midwinter solstice.
Evaluation:
The theory of Astronomical significance comes from evidence from the accuracy of the slant of the stones. In clue 7, the Heelstone has a slant of 34 degrees, as do the slaughter stone, stone 11 and the station stone. These are placed at this angle and the summer solstice can be observed at that angle over the heel and slaughter stones. The summer solstice occurs once a year on 21st June and has great astronomical significance.
It is believed that the Neolithic peoples of the time were far developed in astronomy and the seasons can be observed from Stonehenge. i.e. the summer solstice and the midsummer solstice, these can be observed twice a year and shows the advancement in technology of the people of the time.
In clue 5, the midsummer solstice can be observed rising over the heelstone and through the horseshoe lintels and sarsen stones.
This is also explained in Clue 1 excerpt ii) :
'The stones that straddle this axis have been finely worked to produce regular rectangular portals (Stones 30, 1 and 16; the corresponding edge of Stone 15 is missing), which correspond with that of the Great Trilithon. These breaks in the circle create sight lines towards the midsummer sunrise and the midwinter sunset, depending on which side of the Great Trilithon the viewer is stood; the latter can be viewed from the centre of the circle, while the former is seen from behind the Great Trilithon
In clue 3, the journey of the light can be traced from the heel stone through to the slaughter stone and channels through the horseshoe into an Aubrey holes. It does show a complex system of ditch with 54 Aubrey holes, with 2 stone circles and z and y holes, a slaughter stone and heel stone. The complexity of Stonehenge suggests an advanced society, which points towards astronomical significance.
In Clue 2 it can be observed that certain tools were also used to shape stonehenge, Antler Picks. This could show that the people of the time took great accuracy in creating Stonehenge and along with the complexity of the henge leads to the belief that this society was far developed and had done this for Astronomical purposes.
Other astronomical alignments, which can be observed from Stonehenge, include the summer sunrise and sunset, the winter sunrise and sunset and the extreme moonrise and moonset.
Other evidence supporting this theory is the fact that there are over 40 stone circles in the world, and all but three are located in the UK and Ireland. The three other stone circles shown in clue 6 also hint towards astronomical significance especially that of Castle Rigg in Keswick. Among the alignments shown at Castle Rigg is the midsummer setting sun and the midwinter rising sun, which can also be observed at Stonehenge.
The reliability of this theory is great as there is a great deal of evidence to support the theory and evidence which can still be observed today, as astronomical alignments can still be observed from Stonehenge. The usefulness of this theory is also great as it tells us about how advanced the society was at the time. Their would have been little bias from this theory only that of British historians and archaeologists as they want their history to show how advanced their society was. Their are two main perspectives on this theory, it is either accepted for it's astronomical value or it is not.
Problems:
The problems with this theory are the fact that there may have been some Roman interference after the construction of Stonehenge and some historians believe that this may have caused interference however; the evidence for this theory is not sufficient or conclusive.
Evaluation:
The theory of Astronomical significance comes from evidence from the accuracy of the slant of the stones. In clue 7, the Heelstone has a slant of 34 degrees, as do the slaughter stone, stone 11 and the station stone. These are placed at this angle and the summer solstice can be observed at that angle over the heel and slaughter stones. The summer solstice occurs once a year on 21st June and has great astronomical significance.
It is believed that the Neolithic peoples of the time were far developed in astronomy and the seasons can be observed from Stonehenge. i.e. the summer solstice and the midsummer solstice, these can be observed twice a year and shows the advancement in technology of the people of the time.
In clue 5, the midsummer solstice can be observed rising over the heelstone and through the horseshoe lintels and sarsen stones.
This is also explained in Clue 1 excerpt ii) :
'The stones that straddle this axis have been finely worked to produce regular rectangular portals (Stones 30, 1 and 16; the corresponding edge of Stone 15 is missing), which correspond with that of the Great Trilithon. These breaks in the circle create sight lines towards the midsummer sunrise and the midwinter sunset, depending on which side of the Great Trilithon the viewer is stood; the latter can be viewed from the centre of the circle, while the former is seen from behind the Great Trilithon
In clue 3, the journey of the light can be traced from the heel stone through to the slaughter stone and channels through the horseshoe into an Aubrey holes. It does show a complex system of ditch with 54 Aubrey holes, with 2 stone circles and z and y holes, a slaughter stone and heel stone. The complexity of Stonehenge suggests an advanced society, which points towards astronomical significance.
In Clue 2 it can be observed that certain tools were also used to shape stonehenge, Antler Picks. This could show that the people of the time took great accuracy in creating Stonehenge and along with the complexity of the henge leads to the belief that this society was far developed and had done this for Astronomical purposes.
Other astronomical alignments, which can be observed from Stonehenge, include the summer sunrise and sunset, the winter sunrise and sunset and the extreme moonrise and moonset.
Other evidence supporting this theory is the fact that there are over 40 stone circles in the world, and all but three are located in the UK and Ireland. The three other stone circles shown in clue 6 also hint towards astronomical significance especially that of Castle Rigg in Keswick. Among the alignments shown at Castle Rigg is the midsummer setting sun and the midwinter rising sun, which can also be observed at Stonehenge.
The reliability of this theory is great as there is a great deal of evidence to support the theory and evidence which can still be observed today, as astronomical alignments can still be observed from Stonehenge. The usefulness of this theory is also great as it tells us about how advanced the society was at the time. Their would have been little bias from this theory only that of British historians and archaeologists as they want their history to show how advanced their society was. Their are two main perspectives on this theory, it is either accepted for it's astronomical value or it is not.
Problems:
The problems with this theory are the fact that there may have been some Roman interference after the construction of Stonehenge and some historians believe that this may have caused interference however; the evidence for this theory is not sufficient or conclusive.