Thornborough Henges
The Thornborough Henges in North Yorkshire are three Neolithic circles on an almost two kilometer long, almost straight line north of Ripon in England . The three henges , which are equidistant from one another and each 244 m in diameter, obviously form an ensemble. On the same line there are more henges on both sides at a distance of more than 45 km.
The massive ramparts of the Thornborough Henges have a moat 20 meters wide and three meters deep both inside and outside. The ramparts were built from large boulders covered with white limestone chunks. It seems that the whites of the facades, which is also the tomb passage of Newgrange is detected, were consciously used. Their entrances are on the axis from northwest to southeast.
function
Like the three large circular systems of the Priddy Circles in Somerset , the three Thornborough Henges were also built at almost the same spatial distance from one another and in the same size along an axis. This arrangement has raised additional questions about its use.
The author of popular science books, R. Castleden, discusses rapid population growth as an explanation for the triad of circles. B. made necessary as a meeting point or meeting place. However, this explanation is more acceptable for small, scattered circles. However, it is difficult to understand that the population growth alone made it necessary to double or triple the built-up area, even in gigantic circles such as those at Priddy, Thornborough or Knowlton . It looks like the triple henges were part of a coherent overall design and were built at the same time.
Castleden interpreted the Thornboroug Henges as well as the Priddy Circles as special cult centers. There may be several deities who were honored separately.
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ Thornborough Henges and the Ure-Swale Monuments [1]
- ^ Rodney Castleden: The Stonehenge People, an Exploration of Life in Neolithic Britain 4700-2000 BC. Routledge, London, new edition 1998 (first edition 1978), pp. 132-133 ISBN 0-415-04065-5 .
- ^ R. Castleden: The Stonehenge People 1998, p. 132
- ^ R. Castleden: The Stonehenge People 1998 p. 133 "Possibly there were several deities who were honored separately ..."
literature
- Rodney Castleden: The Stonehenge People, an Exploration of Life in Neolithic Britain 4700-2000 BC. Routledge, London, new edition 1998 (first edition 1978), pp. 132-133, ISBN 0-415-04065-5 .
Web links
Coordinates: 54 ° 12 ′ 37 " N , 1 ° 33 ′ 51.5" W.