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Stone Circle Animal Trap Theory |
Andy B
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|  Posted 02-04-2012 at 21:06
Simon Hedger writes:
My research has led me to believe that stone circles are ancient remnants of animal traps. It is the markings on the sides of stones and the markings on the ground from aerial images of stone circles that has led me to this conclusion.
Stone circles are an intrinsic part of our national and international heritage and yet so little is truly known about the stories they hold. Many have suggested that they are ritualistic sites that are aligned with the movements of the sun and the moon. However some stone circles have no recognised relationship with these alignments.
After spending 15 years researching stone circles, it is my belief that the enormity of these megaliths must have had a much greater use than ritualistic purposes alone. They would have been around at a time in history when there would have been no separation between everyday life and ritual, in that the quest for food would have been central to their existence and all actions would have been motivated by their ability to sustain life. Today we lead sedentary lives, spending most of our time indoors and when it comes to food we only need to think about earning enough money to be able to buy it from the supermarket rather than concerning ourselves with whether we will even have any. Food has become an easily accessed luxury. I mention this simply because it is important to recognise that when we talk about the past, it is important that we don't look at it from the way we are living at the moment but rather with a vast eye, that is wide open to limitless possibility.
With that said, it is my belief that stone circles are ancient remnants of prehistoric animal traps. This theory came about many years ago when I was working with my brother on his deer farm. We were trapping semi-wild animals in a large circular crush that was fed by two long avenues that were opposite one another, to allow the herding of animals that were coming from different parts of the farm. These avenues were used to herd the deer down funnels into the crush. Soon after, I saw an aerial view of Avebury and recognised it to be a similar pattern to the crush that I was working on. There began my initial spark of interest and over the years my theory has evolved and developed.
For more information about my stone circle theory please visit: http://www.stonecircletheory.com
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sem
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| Posted 02-04-2012 at 21:50
Ooooh, lovely! Another serious piece of research for MegP's serious researchers to get their teeth into.
I think it's a load of "circular things" BUT.... is there a grain of truth within the theory? There is evidence for the slaughter and feasting on (semi?) domesticated pigs at Durrington, so maybe some stone avenues included paying homage to the hunting techniques of the ancestors.
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davidmorgan
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| Posted 02-04-2012 at 22:35
For real animal traps, see our Desert Kites page.
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frogcottage42
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| Posted 02-04-2012 at 23:35
I would love to see how our local five stone circles could be used as traps? they are barely 2m long by 1.5 wide. With big gaps between the stones.
The expenditure in energy alone is unthinkable
I love a good theory but this is just daft!
April fool perhaps?
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cerrig
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| Posted 03-04-2012 at 00:28
Quote:
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On 2012-04-02 23:35, frogcottage42 wrote:
I would love to see how our local five stone circles could be used as traps? they are barely 2m long by 1.5 wide. With big gaps between the stones.
The expenditure in energy alone is unthinkable
I love a good theory but this is just daft!
April fool perhaps?
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Maybe they are Leprechaun traps? It has already been proven that some megalithic structures were used for trapping.
[ This message was edited by: cerrig on 2012-04-03 00:35 ]
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cerrig
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| Posted 03-04-2012 at 00:35
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=a312&file=index&do=showpic&pid=77302
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TheCaptain
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| Posted 03-04-2012 at 13:14
"15 years researching stone circles". Yet you state "the enormity of these megaliths".
One word in response to this.
Withypool.
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=a312&file=index&do=showpic&pid=41794
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James
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| Posted 03-04-2012 at 15:34
And the Mammoths are gone because of them! Such a pity!
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Elijah
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| Posted 03-04-2012 at 17:30
Not all observations are perfect...
Quote:
| On the other hand, the 30 plus cattle skulls placed within the wall core of an early house, is indicative of a substantial slaughtering of beasts.
This is reminiscent of the mass slaughtering of cattle to accompany a few rich “Beaker” burials of the late third millennium BC further south.
Accepting that, just as today, cattle represented portable wealth in the late Neolithic, this is an amazing sacrifice of that wealth. http://www.orkneyjar.com/archaeology/2010/08/12/revealing-life-in-prehistoric-westray/ |
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Have you ever wondered why stone circles and henges have causeways?
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tiompan
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| Posted 03-04-2012 at 17:57
Pales into insignificance when compared with the finds in the barrow at Irthlingborough ,40 cattle ,plus the skulls of a further 145 cattle . It is estimated if this was for a feast the 40 tons would have fed 40, 000 for a day .
George
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On 2012-04-03 17:30, Elijah wrote:
Not all observations are perfect...
Quote:
| On the other hand, the 30 plus cattle skulls placed within the wall core of an early house, is indicative of a substantial slaughtering of beasts.
This is reminiscent of the mass slaughtering of cattle to accompany a few rich “Beaker” burials of the late third millennium BC further south.
Accepting that, just as today, cattle represented portable wealth in the late Neolithic, this is an amazing sacrifice of that wealth. http://www.orkneyjar.com/archaeology/2010/08/12/revealing-life-in-prehistoric-westray/ |
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Have you ever wondered why stone circles and henges have causeways?
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Runemage
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| Posted 03-04-2012 at 18:14
Have you ever wondered why stone circles and henges have causeways?
What percentage have?
Rune
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Elijah
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| Posted 03-04-2012 at 20:23
Rune
If I recall correctly (he said with trepidation), I cannot recall any of the larger sites that I've visited not having a causeway. But then you are the resident expert on all thing megalithic and will know that someone has surveyed these sites and has documented this facet of stone circles and henges; and you are about to tell us the details...
Or some else is... ?
John
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Runemage
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| Posted 03-04-2012 at 22:21
Not at all John, I was just interested as I can only think of a very, very few that have causeways, avenues or anything else, that's why I wondered what the percentage was.
It may be of interest to you and Simon Hedger to look at the chronology of the constructions and have a look at features called a cursus (plural cursuses) to see if they fit into your theories about possibly directing/collecting herds of livestock.
http://www.ancient-wisdom.co.uk/cursus.htm
Rune
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On 2012-04-03 20:23, Elijah wrote:
Rune
If I recall correctly (he said with trepidation), I cannot recall any of the larger sites that I've visited not having a causeway. But then you are the resident expert on all thing megalithic and will know that someone has surveyed these sites and has documented this facet of stone circles and henges; and you are about to tell us the details...
Or some else is... ?
John
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Elijah
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| Posted 04-04-2012 at 11:25
Hi Rune
Quote:
| Not at all John, I was just interested as I can only think of a very, very few that have causeways, avenues or anything else, that's why I wondered what the percentage was.
It may be of interest to you and Simon Hedger to look at the chronology of the constructions and have a look at features called a cursus (plural cursuses) to see if they fit into your theories about possibly directing/collecting herds of livestock.
http://www.ancient-wisdom.co.uk/cursus.htm
Rune |
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I've done a quick search and the situation regarding henge types and in particular causeway-henges appears to be fairly well presented, especially on Wikipedia no less. The situation however, remains confused, with causeway-henges of various design and circles of various design, and then we sometimes find them merged. I guess we have to accept that we will find local variations here and there
Just to be clear, I'm not suggesting that their primary function was simply to herd cattle, but that ancient people did, of necessity, and according to my hypothesis, need controlled access for animals into these segregated enclosures in order to sacrifice them. This raises a question over those henges that have two causeways? Perhaps Frazer in his Golden Bough gives us a clue here, when he mentions the ancient Beltane or Mayday fire festivals of Europe. In Ireland he writes about a Druid practice, which he stated still persists, where cattle were/are driven between fires... as a safeguard against disease? He doesn't mention where this activity took place but the most likely, I suggest, were ancient sacred sites such as henges and circles.
John
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chimera
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| Posted 04-04-2012 at 13:51
A visit to a stock sale-yards or abattoirs will show the customary way to handle animals in large numbers. It requires numerous small pens in a group with narrow pathways between them, with some fields, possibly also with fenced tracks leading to the pens.
A long causeway would likely cause a stampede with a breakout through the side or injuries.
[ This message was edited by: chimera on 2012-04-04 13:54 ]
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frogcottage42
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| Posted 04-04-2012 at 21:02
Quote:
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On 2012-04-04 11:25, Elijah wrote:
In Ireland he writes about a Druid practice, which he stated still persists, where cattle were/are driven between fires... as a safeguard against disease? He doesn't mention where this activity took place but the most likely, I suggest, were ancient sacred sites such as henges and circles.
John
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Aaaaargh! Those bloody Druids again!
Now there over here singeing cows in structures that were derelict before they were born.
As far as I know we don't have stone circles here that would allow an animal to pass back out of, the portal stones being the only gap wide enough on most.
Many the stones are far too small and a cow for instance would simply step over them
And as for henges I haven't seen any here?
Nor any causewayed enclosures
I don't wish to be rude but have you visited many of these sites to see for yourself?
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davidmorgan
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| Posted 04-04-2012 at 21:33
I've heard of this fire thing with cattle. I believe it's a celebration/ritual concerning the movement from the wintering enclosures up to the summer pastures in the hills/mountains come spring and maybe vice versa.
P.S. The Swiss probably know all about it.
[ This message was edited by: davidmorgan on 2012-04-04 21:34 ]
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Elijah
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| Posted 05-04-2012 at 05:47
Hi Frog
Quote:
| As far as I know we don't have stone circles here that would allow an animal to pass back out of, the portal stones being the only gap wide enough on most.
Many the stones are far too small and a cow for instance would simply step over them
And as for henges I haven't seen any here?
Nor any causewayed enclosures.
I don't wish to be rude but have you visited many of these sites to see for yourself?
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It was the eminent Sir James George Frazer who alludes to this Irish practice, I merely suggested where it might have taken place; and no, I haven't visited Ireland, but a two second search online revealed the existence of these two very large henges...
Quote:
| Irish archaeologists have identified two prehistoric henge enclosures larger than Stonehenge and possibly as old. They also believe that site, just south of Limerick City, may be the lost location of Tara Luachra, a place famed in early Irish epic literature.
The henges (defined as such by having a ditch inside an outer bank, like Avebury and the first period of Stonehenge) lie on Friarstown Hill, known locally as Tara Hill.
The enclosures of Friarstown were first detected on aerial photographs more than 30 years ago. They were thought at the time to be hill forts, but according to Eamon P. Kelly and Tom Condit both "have a large substantial outer bank and arethus more likely to belong to the henge or ceremonial enclosure group of monuments" http://www.stonepages.com/news/archives/000009.html |
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Hi David
Quote:
| I've heard of this fire thing with cattle. I believe it's a celebration/ritual concerning the movement from the wintering enclosures up to the summer pastures in the hills/mountains come spring and maybe vice versa.
P.S. The Swiss probably know all about it. |
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As you probably know, today's fire festivals, especially the New Year fire festival, are a global legacy of the ancient practice of blood sacrifice. Frazer's Golden Bough provides a wealth of data on these traditions, including their megalithic associations; a must for all those interested in these once sacred sites.
John
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frogcottage42
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| Posted 05-04-2012 at 19:36
Elijah,
The National Monument Service of Ireland lists a total of 14 henge type monuments in the entire country of these none have been sufficiently excavated to be able to precisely determine their function or age.
They are all so degraded as to be mostly visible only on aerial photos and several are still likely to be reclassified as Ring works or hill forts.
I myself have never seen one and the sites I have visited looking for these monuments were impossible to view on the ground.
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Elijah
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| Posted 05-04-2012 at 21:40
Frog
Quote:
| Elijah,
The National Monument Service of Ireland lists a total of 14 henge type monuments in the entire country of these none have been sufficiently excavated to be able to precisely determine their function or age.
They are all so degraded as to be mostly visible only on aerial photos and several are still likely to be reclassified as Ring works or hill forts.
I myself have never seen one and the sites I have visited looking for these monuments were impossible to view on the ground. |
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A bit of a circular argument I think - "they are so degraded" - "none have been sufficiently excavated" - "I myself have never seen one" - "these monuments were impossible to view on the ground".
The reason you haven't been able to see any henges in Ireland is because they haven't been "excavated" yet; or in the of the 14 cases (you've suddenly found) listed by the National Monument Service of Ireland, they haven't been "sufficiently excavated"!
No wonder you were able to declare... Quote:
| And as for henges I haven't seen any here? Nor any causewayed enclosures. |
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John
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