subject: Near Stonehenge discovered a new cultural monument [print this page] Timberhendzh was discovered just 900 meters away from Stonehenge, nine days after the start of a four year project of radar mapping terrain in search of other megaliths nearby.
Like Stonehenge, whose diameter is 30 meters, Timberhendzh is a series of circular depressions in the soil with a diameter of about 25 meters. Experts believe that the pit could be dug for installation of wooden posts in height from two to three meters, which destroyed over the centuries under the influence of the elements.
According to scientists, the construction of Stonehenge began around 5,000 years ago, and was carried out in several stages. According to archaeologists, Timberhendzh and Stonehenge have the same orientation to the sun: the two structures are aligned to the sunrise in the middle of summer and its decline in the middle of winter. In the north-eastern and south-western parts of Timberhendzha distinctively two entrances.
Directed expedition archaeologist Vincent Gaffney of the University of Birmingham in England. To scan the area around Stonehenge was used advanced radar equipment. This was necessary to exclude the possibility of damage artifacts or cultural monuments, which could get in the way archaeologists.
According to Gaffney, the detection Timberhendzha so close to the location of Stonehenge may change the very eyes of archaeologists to these ancient structures, as was previously believed that Stonehenge may not be competitive in this area. "The detection of this interesting monument of culture so close to [Stone] Henge - this is a very significant event" - the researcher notes.
Anthropologists have not reached a common opinion in whether the ancient structures were built for religious purposes, astronomical observations, or as a place of burial. Near them were found cremated remains of adults and children. Gaffney believes that the exact function Henge (both in general are called prehistoric monuments of culture, surrounded by a circular moat) is still unclear:
"There are also facilities for carrying out the process - for example, leading from the River Avon valley. We do not know about 90-95 percent of information about Stonehenge. So we can expect new discoveries. "
Not far from the giant Stonehenge was found a few other Henge, including the site of Stonehenge Blue width of 10 meters. It was discovered in 2009 about a mile from the main monument. Another wooden Henge - Woodhenge - was discovered in 1925 in more than two miles from Stonehenge. Its 168 columns are arranged in six concentric circles.
According to Gaffney, no reason to believe that all these structures are interrelated: "The presence of circular wooden structures in different societies does not mean that they all represent the same thing. We must be very cautious in the conclusions. I do not think there is reason to assume such a community based on a simple similarity and structure. "
The team of archaeologists led by Gaffney plans to continue the study area with the help of modern technology in the next four years. Scientists hope that the ancient territory of an area of 14 square kilometers of other stores Henge, and perhaps the answer to their destination.
Near Stonehenge discovered a new cultural monument
