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<< Feature Articles >> Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV

Submitted by Andy B on Tuesday, 21 June 2005  Page Views: 49079

StonehengeCountry: England County: Wiltshire Type: Stone Circle

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Foamhenge
Foamhenge submitted by baz : Foamhenge, a temporary structure made from polystyrene foam, at a secret location on Salisbury Plain. Used for the filming of Stonehenge - Live on Channel 5 on the evenings of 20/21 June 2005, and for a short series of documentaries for National Geographic scheduled for transmission in autumn 2005. (Vote or comment on this photo)
Welcome to our page featuring the excellent Channel 5 show Stonehenge Live. See below for lots more, including photos, links and a chance to comment yourself. To see more of Stonehenge and its surroundings, visit our main Stonehenge page or browse our Stonehenge category for more articles. and don't miss the rest of our web site to learn more about other megaliths to be found all over the UK and beyond.

Mike Pitts writes: I thought Portal readers might like to know a bit about the Channel 5 project to build a full-size representation of the new Stonehenge. I'd say it's the biggest Stonehenge hypothesis ever seen!

All the megaliths in place where I think they were, including a complete circle of bluestones but not, at least in sarsen, a complete ring of lintels. There is a half-size upright in the circle (stone 11) that has always been recognised but, apart from one drawing published by Edgar Barclay in 1895, never shown in any reconstruction illustrations. If it's an original part of the design (which I think it is: at the equivalent position at contemporary Woodhenge, amongst all the posts are 2 small sarsen stones) it cannot have supported any lintels. We came up with one possible solution - that has the advantage of being testable by excavation.

Having to answer the model-makers' many questions, such as what colour were the stones (who knows?), has reinforced for me how little the standing remains at Stonehenge have been studied. There is not even a chart of basic measurements, let alone a proper study of the carvings or the stone tooling (for which there is a variety of very interesting evidence). Are the lintels curved or straight on one side? Do the uprights taper by design? We just don't know. Given that the surfaces of the sarsens seem to be eroding (there are small spalls in areas of dense lichen growth), these are urgent questions that need addressing.

Last Tuesday around a dozen Stonehenge archaeologists met at the nearly finished model on the Wiltshire downs, and vowed to do something about this research. We also took the opportunity to toast our friend John Evans, who died the night before. John had initiated our understanding of the ancient Stonehenge environs with some key land snail studies.

One of the people I brought to the Channel 5 film is Gordon Pipes, a Derbyshire carpenter with good ideas about how the stones were moved and erected - he's focussed on the sheer weight of the sarsens (around 30 tons, and 40-55 for the trilithon uprights) and reckons the popular rollers would not be possible. On Monday morning a review copy of Aubrey Burl and Neil
Mortimer's new book arrived in my post: Stukeley's Stonehenge An Unpublished manuscript 1721-1724 (Yale). To my great surprise, Stukeley described precisely the same method of moving stones as proposed by Pipes, what Stukeley called using "leavers in the nature of a galley oars". We still have much to learn from old Stukeley, not least because his eyes were focussed on the above ground remains that arguably we have overlooked since we started digging.

We broadcast live from the model on June 20 and 21 at 7.30pm, Channel 5.

Note: We now also have a Summer Solstice 2005 Gallery in the making, but none from Stonehenge yet. More photos please!

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"Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV" | Login/Create an Account | 76 News and Comments
  
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Tuesday, 12 April 2011
I would like to know why there isn't more information on the 56 holes surrounding Stonehenge. I feel these stones determine what Stonehenge is. If any one is interested in hearing what I have to say, let me know. I haven't heard anyone over the years say what I have to say.
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by mountainman on Thursday, 02 December 2010
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This is a few years back......Did anybody ever follow this up and get the location?

"We lived in a large house built in the 18th century and belonging to a fairly well known person.A diary was discovered in the village in which an incident involving a stone from Stonehenge was included.A pear-drop shaped stone,about 3 ish tons was taken on a tumbrel,the trip was not without incident,falling off at least once.It was erected in the garden of the house,with some smaller stones.Would you like the name and adress of the house?(We no longer live there)R.McGrath"
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    R McGrath's large house built in the 18th century by Andy B on Thursday, 02 December 2010
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    Someone asked them for more details at the time but none was forthcoming. We have no other means of contacting them. We would like more details R McGrath if you do read this.
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Thursday, 23 October 2008
How can I buy a dvd of the stonehenge story?

Roy Swanson, Astronomer, 1944 Pagehurst court, Mississauga, Ontatio, Canada. L3X1Y7
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Tuesday, 08 July 2008
check out nick weegenaar s litholift @BBCnews online
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Sunday, 16 December 2007
Dear Mr Pitts... Congratulations on your project to build a replica of stonehenge. A very interesting program. I was curious about sea level during the actual building period. Also the work on accoustics. As you know nearly all religious ceremonies are accompanied by music, many with chanting. If a group of people where standing within the stones in a unified chant, can you image the effect it would have on the whole ceromony ! As you know sound has its own paticular effect, I feel sure that the builders of stonehenge would have known this. Perhaps the innner circle of blue stones were used as positions for such chanting... if these people were facing the stones they would act as sound reflectors, inward. The effect could be truely remarkable ! All ancient religions have a particular place and use for sound, the most noteable being the Hindu who have a word/sound for the original vibration of creation AUM... It would make sense if this sound awareness was also applied to the builders of stone henge, perhaps this would constitute inherent knowledge to them, something we have forgotten.

yours sincerely Colin Mitchell Williams

thirteen13x@gmail.com
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by johner on Wednesday, 08 August 2007
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What has happened to the full sized model? Is it stored somewhere? What is going to happen to it?

(Sorry first post was anonymous and not meant to be)
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Tuesday, 07 August 2007
I've just watched the repeat of the 'foamhenge' programme. An interesting subject. I was particularly taken by Mr Pitt's interest in sarsen stone 11 - it was shown in the original computer animation as standing on its own with no lintels: then in Foamhenge it is still there, but a pair of lintels seems to be floating over it. OK, we don't know what was there originally, but some discussion must have taken place about it.
Also, no mention made about Aubrey holes, the ditch, the station stones, the avenue, nor the miriad of postholes especially in the entrance from the avenue. Furthermore, no discussion about using Stonehenge for moon observation, especially maximum and minimum moonrises.
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by JCAntunes on Sunday, 04 June 2006
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Very soon I will explain the new theory at: http://henges.no.sapo.pt
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Saturday, 11 February 2006
A point that you so eloquently demonstrate with your posts.
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by JCAntunes on Saturday, 11 February 2006
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Since the beginning of time people where clever than they are
in current days!
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Tuesday, 07 February 2006
From an arial position; Just think??? doe' s this stonehenge not remind one of the bribge of what we might think a great star ship, just might resemble??
The name of this one is,,, Megalanta. The Orions left there calling
card so to speak?? Are we looking @ the moon & the rising sun @ sulstace, when they left us the way to the stars?? The energy still (rings) in the circle of stones, no one doubt's this!!
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Re: Stonehenge Astronomy from Alun Salt by JCAntunes on Friday, 27 January 2006
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Entirely dedicated to S.D.Antunes

http://alfa.ist.utl.pt/~santunes/
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Friday, 27 January 2006
I really enjoyed the TV production of your replica Stonehenge, but in the wind-up was surprised to find no mention was made of the way in which the Lay-line crosses the centre of the (stone) circle. Some ten years or so ago I was on a Mensa visit to Stonehenge and found that my ability to dowse enabled me to pinpoint the lay line very precisely. Might not the andcients have used this in orienting the circle and the avenue?

Maurice Hedges: now living in Western Canada. mauricehedges@bcsupernet.com
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Monday, 23 January 2006
Hi:

What are you going to do with Foamhenge when you are finished with it?
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Sunday, 08 January 2006
you need to get the people of strange and gather them...
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Sunday, 08 January 2006
I honestly do not know what is happening. All I can see is Everything that is of my past is in blending. I was given a gift of scotland a place i knew nothing of. A pair of earrings ..pewter..a circular engraving. spiral..in to out. within moments the water stole one of my earrings and left me with one. i took it and wore it on my chain around my neck. within a small time i was no longer acting myself. i have suffered something. i long for achilles, king arthur, atheana, ..there is a list of names that race through my head. i had a vision 2 years ago..it symbolized itself on jan 2 2006 ...also i wrote poems ..longing for my true love..however..":the captain"..all of the things ive seen in rm125 is to much for one to take. its in all the energy in this room..i was told to go to room125 on the internet it took me to a place....kaspertherapy.com...also the seat of king arthur has been sat upon. and some how i feel angry ..but have known a calling that has been called upon..i spent hours writting down the map of the end of times..in the heavens ....its all backwards but they all are numbers of egyptian scripts...they knew of the directions..the earth is to time out..some 2014..at that time a door will open only taking so many people..but the directions are of those who know the way..the planets will come back together but only for a second....the water is the first..the fire second..as in turn of life..fire is now the water has died....i cant take it anymore..its freaking me out a bit..
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by JCAntunes on Friday, 23 December 2005
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2005 Christmas Gift,

Stonehenge mistery was solved at 17 January 2005.
As Merlin said, Stones can olny be transported
when the Giants dance.
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Wednesday, 14 December 2005
Call me Mike Pitts, you have my mail.

Can I help?
Give me the opportunity!

I want to explain you all what is my Stonehenge hypothesis!

JCaeiroAntunes
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    Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Sunday, 08 January 2006
    rockstarz@charter.net

    contact me ASAP.....
    We need to meet...
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Tuesday, 06 December 2005
Mr Pitts, my name is Karl, I watched your show about recreating stonehenge from styrophoam, (Sunday 12-4-05, 9PM) but I was puzzled that nothing was mentioned about the 56 holes that surround the structure. I contacted a Professor Witcombe through e-mail last year and he didn't have the time to respond, so I'm contacting you.
Does anyone know what the holes represent? If you are interested, I think I do. A friend and I accidentally stunmbled on it while working on something else.
If I don't have an answer, then it's a very strong coincidence. If you are interested in what I have to say you can contact me via e-mail at kehno1umfan@yahoo.com.
I have carried this idea around with me for 30 years and I would like to know if I am right or if I can finally rest knowing I was wrong.
If so, it is a very strong coincidence.
Thank you,
Karl Henderson
10979 Gamewood
South Lyon, MI 48178-8820
(248)437-6241
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    Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Klingon on Wednesday, 07 December 2005
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    Could it be that with the help of these holes it's possible to predict eclipses of the sun and moon?
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      Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Sunday, 08 January 2006
      the rebuild of the wooden circle opened a gate force that is now something i see. without prior knowledge. i have been sent here by something much stronger than myself. i have written things i would never right. i see things i would never see. and its all falling on facts that is beyond any force or knowledge i would otherwise seek. someone needs to contact me. i have have seen mike mick micheal as a sorce to contact. numbers and directions ...its really quite insane and im not insane. please help me. the plaque i have felt the places have i seen the waters the fisherman the myths of my people the entrance. constant messeges...someone needs to hear this i think and see what i see. what ever the sorce that has sent me here is getting anxious....Rockstarz@charter.net
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    Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Wednesday, 14 December 2005
    I surely can help!

    Try me!

    JCAntunes
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Monday, 05 December 2005
Mike Pitts is mistaken when he says "There is a half-size upright in the circle (stone 11) that has always been recognised but, apart from one drawing published by Edgar Barclay in 1895, never shown in any reconstruction illustrations". I have posted a photographic reconstruction
for many years which shows precisely this feature of the Central Sarsen Structure of Stonehenge (ca. 2000 BC). See my webpage at:
http://www.hermetic.ch/cal_stud/cassidy/#reconstruction
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Re: Foamhenge by amac on Friday, 24 June 2005
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i am on the mailing list and some people were commenting on how to turn Foamhenge into something that would last. there are many ways as well as products that could make this possible. i have wanted to do just that for a while but it would take some time and money. see us at http://secondtonature.org/index.htm#SECONDTONATURESTUDIOS we have built bigger stones that are in great shape after 30 yrs. at the N. C. zoo you can visit at
http://photos.nczoo.org/gallery/262572/1/10404473
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Re: Foamhenge by Anonymous on Wednesday, 22 June 2005
For Pitts and Ruggles to dismiss the ground breaking findings of Gerald S Hawkins calling alignments Chance is appalling. They then went on to Simulate the sunrise/sunset and moon rise with lights.
This was because the orientation was wrong.
The bluestones were wrong.
Pitts had placed one in front of the large trilathon which would have blocked the wintersolstice sunset.
They even threw out the Alter stone as they didn't know if it was standing or not.
The stonerowing experiment was by far the best piece of the film. Practical and possible.
The Plastic Archaeos and the Plastic Druids we can do without.
Jon
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    Re: Foamhenge by Alun on Wednesday, 22 June 2005
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    ...the orientation was wrong.
    No, it was correct. It was the first thing I checked.

    The reason we used a lamp for sunrise was because we were filming in the evening and the sun rarely rises in the evening. It also refuses to stop in the same position for re-takes. We had to use a lamp for the midwinter sunset alignment too because we were filming in the summer. As for the moon, by the time we filmed that it was already risen and once again it couldn't be coaxed back into position for re-takes. Just as well really, the barrier of trees on the south east of the site would have blocked off the moon anyway.

    As for Hawkins's work. He allowed a 2 degree error in his alignments, but never explained why. That's four sun widths and it's easy for anyone with a couple of sticks to get better accuracy than that. Despite this about half of the alignments he claimed for Stonehenge III failed this requirement. His work was comprehensively demolished in 1966. In light of this I wouldn't say dismissing Hawkins's work was appalling given the time limits they had to talk about the astronomy. I might want to gripe about the amount of astronomy time they had though.

    You are almost right about the Altar stone. Where Mike Pitts put it, it would have blocked off the midwinter alignment if you were in Stonehenge. If you were still walking up the avenue when the sun was setting then maybe you'd see all of Stonehenge catching the sun as it fell. The reason the Altar stone was put behind the Great Trilithon was that there's a massive hole there in the plans and a break in the bluestone circle. Not all the archaeologists were happy about this, but Mike Pitts did have a good reason rather than a vague idea. It would have been nice to turn the Professors loose into the circle to argue about the position of the stones, which would have brought this problem up. So it wasn't thrown out but it was where not a lot of people would expect to see it. I think that was a missed opportunity.

    I agree that the stonerowing was impressive. I think if you had a team that had practiced and were fit then you could get a fair amount of speed.
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    Re: Foamhenge by Anonymous on Friday, 24 June 2005
    .As for Hawkins's work. He allowed a 2 degree error in his alignments, but never explained why. That's four sun widths

    I've checked Geralds work at Stonehenge several times and never found then to be out buy more than 1/4 of the suns diameter.
    Most times, such as the full moon rise over the heelstone on 19th december 2002 were spot on.
    Didn't Atkinson call the stonehenge builders Savages?
    And wasn't it Atkinson that bulldozed his way inside Silbury hill failing to find anything and never writing up any reports before failing to backfill the tunnel?
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    Re: Foamhenge by Alun on Tuesday, 28 June 2005
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    In Stonehenge Decoded (Fontana 9th Impression page 147). He states Stonehenge I is orientated to midsummer sunrise (declination +24deg). It was aligned to 27deg, which off the top of my head is around 6 degrees difference in azimuth or 12 sun diameters.

    Atkinson did a lot of things, including failing to publish his Stonehenge exacavation reports properly. But one of the things he did publish was a comprehensive rebuttal of Hawkins's claims almost forty years ago. What Atkinson did at Silbury Hill isn't going to make Hawkins's work any more accurate.

    It may well be a shame that his work wasn't discussed in more depth, because he certainly popularised the idea of accurate alignments at Stonehenge, but given the tight time slot they had I wouldn't use the word 'appalling' to describe their dismissal of Hawkins.
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    Re: Foamhenge by Lemonjapp on Friday, 01 July 2005
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    I was so disappointed that the altar stone wasn't mentioned. I feel that the light of the solstice sun was intended to fall onto the altar stone. Also no mention of the sideways bluestone in the area of the truncated sarsen.

    As for the dumbing down... why did Mike Pitts not present the programme? John Suchet looked out of place and the girl was ignorant fluff. Not enough use of the circle, why so little on the actual sunrise, why was only the girl there? The archaeologists could have reacted to the actual sunrise from inside the circle.
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Foamhenge by JYoules on Wednesday, 22 June 2005
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Absolutely brilliant ! Do you intend to keep the replica polystyrene Stonehenge ("Foamhenge") so visitors can get an idea of what the original was like ?
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Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by slumpy on Wednesday, 22 June 2005
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Okay so I missed part 1, but part 2 seemed to be all about self-congratulation. The Altar Stone seems to have walked around the Great Trilithon to face the sunset, the Bluestones are wrong...sorry, but it looked exactly as I expected anything from Channel 5 to look - half a job done.

Leave this sensationalism out of it, and get back to real archaeology and anthropology.
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    Re: Mike Pitts on Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Petercastle on Wednesday, 22 June 2005
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    I fully agree with you and as for those Druids blessing the stones only Channel 5 could come up with such rubbish.I also noticed the embarrassed smile on John Suchet's face when the cameras cut back to him.Good idea but too much waffle and not enough content.
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Re: Stonehenge Astronomy from Alun Salt by Andy B on Tuesday, 21 June 2005
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Alun Salt has posted a gallery of Foamhenge pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alun/sets/482095/ and a panorama of the model by night: http://archaeoastronomy.co.uk/?p=335
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Tuesday, 21 June 2005
After visiting Avebury and Stonehenge. my spirit seems to say that avebury is all about life . while stonehenge is about death. i tried not to draw any conclusions beforehand , but the holes and pits in the Avebury stones seemed to show positions to stand, while at Stonehenge i felt nothing at all the plain bare stone . buying the guide books for each i noticed the simalarities in both circles one open and wide the other closed and inhibiting both with two smaller circles and the avenue leading away . i noticed too that the river ran between the two. the origional river Styks perhaps!. you may consider me to be some kind of hippy given to flights of fancy .but i am a northern factory worker not normally moved by such things. i just felt i wanted to relate my experience
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    Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Thorgrim on Tuesday, 21 June 2005
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    Yes, northern factory worker, many people feel exactly the same way as you. Avebury is about living and is always welcoming. Stonehenge is cold and remote. Maybe not hostile, but certainly indifferent.
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Sunday, 08 January 2006
    all at once in line..the signs of the stars will come together and hold hands. the darkeness will turn night..upon darkeness scorpio rejuvination will have to place life back to the center of the earth from which it lays....How many Gods are there?
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Tuesday, 21 June 2005
Why on earth involve the modern druids. Their ceremonies are totally bogus, date from about the 19 century, and are as relevantvto Stonehenge as the Flat Earth Society.
Bright Blessings
Trevor
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Tuesday, 21 June 2005
Some things missing from the program -- dimensions, geometry and measure. What were the diameters of the Lintel circle for example?

Hugh Franklin
Devon
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Tuesday, 21 June 2005
Fascinating program held me enthralled ... looking forward to tonights!...it demonstrated just how little we know about this fantastic structure, not least the difficulties in getting the stones there (and uprighting them!!) .... excellent..
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Tuesday, 21 June 2005
Hello, seen the show yesterday.
Two questions:
1. About the name 'Henge' so NOT explained satisfactory yesterday by 'the experts'. Couldn't it just mean 'portal' or 'door'? (comparing with 'hinge'). Dunno what it would be a door to or from for those people back then, but to us is still is, if only a portal to eons passed.

2. Is there an explanation better than the vague 'they already buried people here' as to why the site is so interesting it attracts people for many millenia? Why is this site so popular, even the wrecked stonehenge is more popular nowadays then sites in better state.
What is with this exact geographic place? For what reason would people be busy with the same place for more than 1000 years, must be a very straightforward and compelling reason! Explain more deeply please.

William from Portsmouth
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    Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Thorgrim on Tuesday, 21 June 2005
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    "Henge" is Anglo-Saxon and means hanging. The incoming Saxons saw the great stones hanging in mid air OR they saw them as a stone gallows. Early gallows were made of wood and had two uprights with a cross beam. Unfortunately the word henge has since been used to describe any circular earthwork with a bank and ditch. The stones of Stonehenge are not the "henge" - the bank and ditch surrounding them is. Which just shows how inaccurately we now use words and totally forget what they really mean. Banks and ditches don't "hang" do they?

    The word "henge" survives in the modern word "hinge" - hinges are used to hang a door on its frame.
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What was Stonehenge for? by Anonymous on Tuesday, 21 June 2005
How about this, excerpted from HYPNOSIS by Lucas Hyde:


'Isn't it incredible that the moon just exactly eclipses the sun, creating the diamond ring, as they call it? I mean, any smaller or any further away and it wouldn't work. You could almost imagine that Earth would be a tourist destination for aliens - "Oh, that planet whose only moon so perfectly eclipses the sun."'

'It does seem unusual - just the right size - but you've lost me.'

'The moon might be significant. It waxes and wanes with a period of 28 days - the menstrual period of a woman, but not all mammals, and only a few bleed - us, apes, and a few monkeys. And doesn't that have to be significant - procreation, on which our existence depends. Blood makes it all the more "in your face". Think about it. If someone wanted to give us a message, they could hardly leave us a larger, more indelible one. They say, "You're moon is significant. How many planets could happen to have just such an eclipse? And there is a relationship between the moon and the continuation of your species." A message, astronomical in scale and written in blood - surely the message can only be that they had a hand in our creation.'

'Where do you get all this, Julian? Have you got a friend who's a druid or something?'

'Where do I get it? Where do I get it?! Not from druids. Though I grant you, I did think of something along that line - well actually, something that predates druids. I thought how many millions of people throughout the ages of mankind must have been struck by exactly the same thought as I'd had. And then I realized - Stonehenge, a place of observation of the heavenly bodies. What was the purpose of Stonehenge, I thought, and then I suddenly had it. They were trying to discover the rest of the message.'

'What rest of it?'

'Look, how can you discover a message if you don't know you're supposed to be looking for it. The eclipse and the menstrual period are just a marker, an attention grabber - "There's a message here!" The rest of the message could well be beyond the means of a prehistoric civilization to uncover, but it'll be obvious, so obvious that we'll slap ourselves on the forehead and say how could we have missed that for so long.'

'So what is the rest of the message?'

Now it was his turn to laugh. 'Well, I don't know. I've hardly begun to look... but I'm willing to bet, if it's there at all, it's staring somebody in the face even now.'

'Or it could be just a coincidence. Somebody thinks about a friend they haven't heard from for a long time. Then the phone rings, and it's the friend. They think it's ESP. Coincidences happen all the time. It's a trap to believe they must be significant.'

'Absolutely. Absolutely,' he said and blushed, 'I realize that,' but he saw that Gordon had noticed him redden, and now looked almost fearful. Could it be that Gordon mistook his colour for anger? So he said quickly, 'Perhaps that's why the Stonehenge civilization vanished. Perhaps they died out of monumental embarrassment.'

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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Tuesday, 21 June 2005
Well I saw the programme and this is my angle on how the stones may have been shifted and raised. There are numerous possible implementations (even a six-point wheel implemetation permitting constant movement) though I'm sure you'll get the idea.

http://www.fastwire.co.uk/howtheydidit/HowTheyDidIt.pdf

Best regards,

Brendan Townsend
Cambridge, UK
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Monday, 20 June 2005
Just watched the live program.
Congratulations.
Blue Peter promoted to prime time TV
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Monday, 20 June 2005
Hiya all
I was very interested in your program tonight on channel5 tonight.
The thing is I know how the block were moved. It may sound daft but you are all on the wrong tracks. The method is so simple I just can't work out why you have'nt worked it out. I've kept this to myself for a long time but I think it's time to let you all in on how it was done.
If you are atall interested then contact me and I will try my best to explain. it is so simple and worthy of a serious explination. No one to my knowlege, and all the programs I have seen have never taken my explianation in to eccount.
I'm really looking forwards to hearing from your team of experts to hear my piont of view.
Regards,
A W grice. Ph 013398 87245.
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Monday, 20 June 2005
I believe the stone henge circle is constructed of round about 30 stones possibly about 60 when it was first built .
Is there a possibility the stones could be used as a clock?
I think this because there were roughly about 60stones and there are 60 secs to a minute and 60 minutes in an hour.
On the program which I have just watched it commented a lot about how the sun was seen or used in this reconstruction. Maybe there is a possibility that this construction was used like a giant sun dial like the pyramids.
I would be greatful if someone emailed me back with some of their suggestions at Amymckenzie001@aol.com .
From Amy Mckenzie aged 13
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    Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Sunday, 08 January 2006
    its counting down the hours
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Monday, 20 June 2005
I am watching your TV programme. Very interesting.

If I wanted to move those stones I would wait until snow and ice lay on the ground and slide them on sleds. Maybe I would try to make ice tracks. They would most likely travel well on downhill slopes and level ground so route making would be vital to minimise uphill sections. Would there have been reliable periods of cold winter weather and precipitation to permit such methods in that period of time?

Tony Goodall - Architect
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Monday, 20 June 2005
Hello,

What about the sound effects of the stones and the surrounding landscape? I read somewhere about the aspect of sound, you haven't said anything about that.
I know someone who claims the stones of the stonehenge are buzzing, or so he hears.

Martin
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Monday, 20 June 2005
hove you taken into account the dopler shift?
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Monday, 20 June 2005
would they not have found it easier to move the stones in the winter time when the snow was on the ground. would this have not been an easier time to get everyone together when there was no work being done on the fields.
Robert Galvin
Northampton
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Monday, 20 June 2005
We lived in a large house built in the 18th century and belonging to a fairly well known person.A diary was discovered in the village in which an incident involving a stone from Stonehenge was included.A pear-drop shaped stone,about 3 ish tons was taken on a tumbrel,the trip was not without incident,falling off at least once.It was erected in the garden of the house,with some smaller stones.Would you like the name and adress of the house?(We no longer live there)R.McGrath
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    Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Monday, 20 June 2005
    More details of the diary would be interesting. Sounds like a tall story to me.
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    Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Wednesday, 22 June 2005
    I would guess this is the house in Heytesbury from which the bluestone now on dispaly in Salisbury Musuem was retrieved, but I'd be interested to know if there were any new informatin about it
    mike pitts
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Monday, 20 June 2005
Are there any other megalithic mounuments around stonehenge
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    More about Stonehenge by Anonymous on Monday, 20 June 2005
    Go to our main Stonehenge page and scroll down to see a list. Click on the map links to see more of the surrounding area.
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Monday, 20 June 2005
Will the model still be there on Wednesday and can we visit it? Sandra T.
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Alun on Sunday, 19 June 2005
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The programme's web page has now gone online at http://www.five.tv/accessibility/programmes/stonehengelive/. There's no info there that hasn't already been released, but it does include an email form for you to send in questions.
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Sunday, 19 June 2005
Do you know if it is possible to visit & see the model, during the 2 week period that it is there?
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by VirtHist on Saturday, 18 June 2005
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Thank you Mike Pitt, this Portal reader did want to know more about it.

Mak
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More about Gordon Pipes from BBC Derbyshire by Andy B on Friday, 17 June 2005
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A carpenter from Littleover thinks he's got the answer to how one of Britain's most famous pre-historic monuments was built and he's about to put his theory to the test.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/derby/content/articles/2005/05/18/features_the_mystery_of_stonehenge_2005_feature.shtml

Found via http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=stonehenge+live - this is what we like to see :-)
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    Re: More about Gordon Pipes from BBC Derbyshire by Anonymous on Tuesday, 08 July 2008
    check out nick weegenaar s litholift.
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Andy B on Thursday, 16 June 2005
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> According to my humanities text, Stonehenge was built by Merlin during the reign of King Arthur.

Blimey - are you a time traveller from the Middle Ages?!
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    Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by JimChampion on Saturday, 18 June 2005
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    You always hear that there's not enough money in schools. This Sounds like one school is still using medieval books... "Sir, have you got any sellotape? My tome has fallen apart again."
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Re: Mike Pitts on the forthcoming Stonehenge Live on Channel 5 TV by Anonymous on Thursday, 16 June 2005
I really like this upcoming megalithic portal. There are so many hypothe-
ses involving these structures which were actually the beginning of what we know as trabeated post and lintel construction. Another interesting point is who built these structures and why. According to my humanities text, Stonehenge was built by Merlin during the reign of King Arthur. There is also a theory that the druids were responsible for their construc-
tion but the timeline doesn't fit.
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Re: Here's the official guff from Channel 5 by Anonymous on Thursday, 16 June 2005
Not too clever that the nights off the broadcast coincide with the Solstice.

And with a video-recorder that decides what and when to tape stuff, I'm likely to get Eastenders [whatever that is] Revealed instead.

Will it be repeated ?
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    Re: Here's the official guff from Channel 5 by baz on Friday, 17 June 2005
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    >Not too clever that the nights off the broadcast coincide with the Solstice.

    That may be your opinion, but that's when Stonehenge is most in the news and the programmes have been scheduled to go out at a time which is regarded as significant to Stonehenge. There is no better time, is there?

    I'll miss the programmes too, as I'll be taking part.

    Baz


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Re: Here's the official guff from Channel 5 by ocifant on Thursday, 16 June 2005
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and those of you with deep pockets and big gardens, can get to own the results of their labours
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Here's the official guff from Channel 5 by Andy B on Thursday, 16 June 2005
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A team of archaeologists is attempting to rebuild Stonehenge 4,000 years after it was first constructed - live on Five. The two-part experiment, to recreate and explore the mystery behind Stonehenge, will consist of one 90 minute broadcast on June 20th, followed by a 60 minute programme the following day, to coincide with the summer solstice. The first broadcast will focus on how the prehistoric stone circle was built and follow the construction of an authentic, 360-degree replica the famous monument which has been transported to and erected in a secret location. This will be followed by an exploration of why the circle was built and what it was used for; and will culminate in a summer solstice ceremony as it would have looked 4,000 years ago.
John Suchet and Kate Sanderson present.
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    Re: Here's the official guff from Channel 5 by Anonymous on Tuesday, 21 June 2005
    how do we know that stonehenge was ever built to the proposed design ?
    Could it not be that over time the very effort in transporting the stones, the raising and the lifting of the lintels became to much for the populas and after time the project was abandoned leaving the site much as we see it today.
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Stonehenge Astronomy from Alun Salt by Andy B on Thursday, 16 June 2005
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Alun Salt from Leicester University writes: I was then asked by Clive [Ruggles] to help set up some experiments for Stonehenge Live, a television programme for Channel 5 and National Geographic. They’re building a polystyrene life-size model of Stonehenge and wanted to test some ideas using it. I think my work on that is about done now, so I’ve written up thoughts on the experiments and astronomy and Stonehenge in general. These will go live daily over the week leading to the solstice.
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    Re: Stonehenge Astronomy from Alun Salt by Anonymous on Wednesday, 25 January 2006
    what ever happened to this reconstruction did they store it some where or destroy it
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    Giant Foamhenge dream crumbles into oblivion by Anonymous on Thursday, 26 January 2006
    THE quest for Foamhenge is over and the mighty stones lie in ruins. North Wiltshire District Council leader Carol O'Gorman has admitted defeat in her battle to bring the polystyrene replica of Stonehenge to the district.

    She overcame problems with planning, transportation and protective coatings ­ but finally the project was vanquished by the elements themselves. It turned out the foam blocks were being stored under a tarpaulin in a field and a quarter were already broken.

    Coun O'Gorman said she was very disappointed. "It would have been magnificent," she said. "Foamhenge would have been a part of the Rural Life museum at Wiltshire College Lackham and it would have attracted tourists as well as serving as an educational tool.

    "It would have been great."

    Foamhenge was the nickname given to a full size replica of Stonehenge created by a television company for a Channel 5 reality programme. Afterwards the makers offered it as a tourist attraction and historical resource to the district council.

    But there were difficulties to sort out first ­ such as a good location, and a method of coating the blocks so they would last, out in the weather.

    The first proposed site at Wiltshire College Lackham was considered too close to the setting of the Grade II listed Lackham House, but another, more appropriate site was identified and received a positive reaction from planning officers.

    Coun O'Gorman also set up talks with Webber International, a company which could have coated the 171 five-metre tall handcrafted polystyrene blocks with fibreglass.

    The entire Foamhenge complex would have covered an area of about 30 metres square and weighed more than six tonnes.

    The spectacular attraction would have given visitors an accurate impression of Stonehenge in its prime ­ and unlike the real thing, it would be available for close-up inspection.

    The district council was under the impression the Foamhenge stones were stored in an aircraft hangar in Northampton but in fact it turned out they were covered with tarpaulins in a field, and Coun O'Gorman's dreams of bringing the monument to Chippenham have crumbled along with the polystyrene stones.

    RAF Lyneham had agreed to transport the stones from Northampton to Wiltshire and in August Bedfordshire company Saint-Gobain Webber said it could coat each of the stones in cement mortar to make the polystyrene look more like the real thing, as a publicity exercise.

    Coun O'Gorman said: "Everyone wanted to see it happen. If anyone knows how the broken stones can be mended can they please get in touch with me?"

    Nacressa Swan of Darlow Smithson Production Ltd, the company that made the original Channel 5 programme, said: "It is very disappointing. This was the only symbol of Stonehenge as it was, not as the ruin it is today."

    Julian Ware, executive producer of the programme, said: "It is a shame ­ they looked fantastic when all set up, but they were only designed to last a week.

    "It would be relatively easy to repair them but it would probably cost a five figure sum."
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