Stonehenge: lessons of the channel 5 reconstructio

[Brochfael]

Well the reconstruction has blown out of the water both the theories I had accepted. The twin heel stone (which I had heard of but had thought discredited) destroys Terry Meaden’s idea of the phallic shadow although a phallic shaft of light may be a possibility.



They seem to have had a large monolith blocking the light box through the largest trilithon for the midwinter sunset.



The Bronze Age re-enacters were miles better than expected although I have heard that woven textiles using vegetable dyes to produce plaid like patterns have been discovered dating from Neolithic France.



I wonder if English Heritage will procure the reconstruction for their interpretation centre. If so I do hope they remember to include a reconstructed settlement to show everyday life in Late Neolithic / Early Bronze Age Britain.



Anyone up for Bronze age costume at Stonehenge next solstice?

[Blackbird]

I only managed to see a little bit of the first programme, unfortunately.

What strikes me (perhaps they covered this?) is that they assume that there was an overall design from the beginning - but there have obviously been developments at the site over a very long time. So looking at a reconstruction of the whole thing can only tell you about the design - and possibly purpose - of the last phase of construction.

I also hope that the reconstruction is now preserved. It will be brilliant for education, and I'm sure it would also be a tourist attraction. Perhaps you should suggest the idea of a settlement to English Heritage? I'm sure you're better qualified than most to run such a project

[Brochfael]

I think there are two hopes of my running any such project and one of them's Bob!

If I get to do a degree in archaeology, ancient history or Celtic Studies, then who knows what may happen. But for an unqualified guy like me. Forget it!

[Blackbird]

Are you sure? I would imagine that such projects might be run by reenactors rather than archaeologists and historians, in the same way that English Heritage book reenactment groups to do shows etc.

[Blackbird]

I heard on the grapevine that the 'Foamhenge' had been put up on ebay for a short time - though this may have been a hoax. Whatever the truth of that rumour, it is true that the structure is now for sale.

Shame, as it would have been a very useful educational tool...