Stone Circle reveals ancient secrets of rising and setting sun
Submitted by PaulM on Friday, 28 March 2003 Page Views: 822
Neolithic and Bronze AgeCountry: Scotland County: Scottish BordersInternal Links:
The archaeologists at Biggar Museum have just witnessed an equinox event at Wildshaw Burn stone circle last recorded some 4000 years ago reports The Peeblesshire News.
The team witnessed and filmed the sunrise and sunset of the spring equinox at the site near Crawfordjohn.
Tam Ward of the Museum said “This major megalithic monument was built at the beginning of the Bronze Age between 4000 and 4500 years ago, and has slowly been giving up some of its secrets over the last 13 years since its discovery by the local time team archaeologists. They now know that the builders of the circle could have worked out the longest and shortest days of the year by watching the rising and setting sun make alignments over pairs of stones in the circle.
“Now, after a very long and patient wait, we know that the ancient people could also work out the equinoxes, the mid point in time between the winter and summer solstices.
“We were not surprised to see the sun make perfect alignments over the stones, but even more spectacular was the sun setting beside the summit of Auchensauch Hill where there is a pre-historic burial cairn.
“We believe these alignments can never be described as co-incidence, but are a testament to the knowledge and skill of our Bronze Age ancestors.”
Said Tam: “This year will certainly be another one of major discovery for us as we have an exciting programme of work ahead. This will include a Bronze Age cemetery and hunter gather camps dating to over 6000 years ago.”
For the full story go to the Peeblesshire News website.
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