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Unless otherwise stated, this image is the copyright of the submitter. Contact them for permission to reproduce it. |  | | Description | My shadow points to the 'spine' on Stone 16, here looking towards approx 54 degs, at about 3.40pm on 17th December 2008. [Sun had completely set by about 3.55pm]. Just before the sun actually disappeared, and my shadow was almost too faint to see, the alignment with the sun, myself and Stone 16's 'spine' included the 'no.4' peg stuck in the ground outside the circle.
(I'd speculated that the spine represented a post, as it is carved so neatly, and that another post or stone may have stood outside the Sarsen circle, casting its shadow toward the 'spine' on Stone 16 at sunset. When this shadow crept up the 'spine', it may have signalled the start of ancients' Winter Solstice celebrations. |
| Posted Comments: JACKME
(2009-01-02) | At the time of construction the Sun set approx 1degree further to the South giving rather a different view. Jack | AngieLake
(2009-01-02) | The main thing about this is what was the 'spine' for, if not just decoration? Does anyone else think it possible that a post stood outside the circle between Stone 16 and SW, purposely to cast a shadow? Alex D tends to agree with the idea, adding that maybe the outer face of the stone represents a 'vulva' and the shadow cast by such a post would effectively 'fertilise' the stone symbolically at Winter Solstice. It was a time of insecurity and the ancient people might look to it to represent renewal of all aspects of their existence. (So what happened when the sun didn't shine and cast a shadow???!) Perhaps the significant time was earlier and later, and not on 21st Dec? I seem to remember a hole in the Aubrey Holes ring slightly offset from the others in or around the SW arc, which might have held such a post? | davidmorgan
(2009-01-03) | 1 degree is only 2 sun-widths, so it hasn't moved much.
Everything you need to know about aligning a solar monument is here:
http://calgary.rasc.ca/tomb101.htm |
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