[quote]Archaeologists have unveiled the most detailed map ever produced of the earth beneath Stonehenge and its surrounds.
They combined different instruments to scan the area to a depth of three metres, with unprecedented resolution.
Early results suggest that the iconic monument did not stand alone, but was accompanied by 17 neighbouring shrines.
Future, detailed analysis of this vast collection of data will produce a brand new account of how Stonehenge's landscape evolved over time.
Among the surprises yielded by the research are traces of up to 60 huge stones or pillars which formed part of the 1.5km-wide "super henge" previously identified at nearby Durrington Walls.
"For the past four years we have been looking at this amazing monument to try and see what was around it," Prof Vincent Gaffney, from the University of Birmingham, said at the British Science Festival.
The research is also described in BBC Two documentary to be screened on Thursday.
"What was within its landscape?"
Most of the land surrounding Stonehenge had not been surveyed in this manner before and Prof Gaffney, the project's lead researcher, said one key question always remained: "Was it really an excluded place, where only special people would come?"
The team's new three-dimensional map, which covers an area of 12 sq km or 1,250 football fields, shows that this was not the case.
Researchers used six different techniques to scan the whole site at different depths below the surface.
Amongst their instruments was a magnetometer, a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and a 3D laser scanner.
Nishad Karim, a researcher at the University of Leicester, has used similar instrumentation to reconstruct 16th century Tudor tombs.
She told the BBC: "Using GPR and other techniques, these researchers have been able to virtually see through the ground and explore what civilization looked like thousands of years ago."
Under one of the numerous mounds, they identified a 33m-long timber building about 6,000 years old, probably used for ritual burials and related practices, possibly including excarnation (stripping flesh from bones).
"[The building] has three rows of roof-bearing posts. It is around 300 square metres and slightly trapezoidal, which is interesting because in the same period on the continent, about 100 to 200 years earlier, we also find this type of trapezoidal building related to megaliths [giant stones]," said Prof Wolfgang Neubauer, director of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute, which was also involved in the research.
Another 17 mounds revealed previously unseen ritual monuments about the same age as Stonehenge itself.[/quote]
[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-29126854[/url]
thanks obama
Stobehenge too based, I want to visit someday
They found a building [I]under[/I] the mound? As in, the building was buried?
So, can it shoot down asteroids?
[QUOTE]She told the BBC: "Using GPR and other techniques, these researchers have been able to virtually see through the ground and explore what civilization looked like thousands of years ago."
Under one of the numerous mounds, they identified a 33m-long timber building about 6,000 years old, probably used for ritual burials and related practices, possibly including excarnation (stripping flesh from bones).
[/QUOTE]
Jesus christ what how does that even work this is amazing
[QUOTE=Grenadiac;45941613]They found a building [I]under[/I] the mound? As in, the building was buried?[/QUOTE]
I think what happened here was either they naturally covered the building over with earth after it was constructed, or else it was covered over by earth and soil over a long period of time. Probably the first option, if I'm accurate with my guess.
Ah, I was probably right; the building in question is a barrow, so it would stand to reason that it would have been covered over by earth once the burial(s) were finished.
[img]http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/77488000/jpg/_77488111_77488110.jpg[/img]
The Pandorica was there all along.
[QUOTE=Thomo_UK;45941586]Stobehenge too based, I want to visit someday[/QUOTE]
It's not that good, it costs a fortune then you're roped about 20 yards from the thing. You're probably better off just looking at it as you go past.
[QUOTE=Doozle;45942001]It's not that good, it costs a fortune then you're roped about 20 yards from the thing. You're probably better off just looking at it as you go past.[/QUOTE]
for good reason though, isn't it? I remember it being mentioned that it was roped off because of soil erosion from around the site due to large amounts of visitors, in addition to stones falling or vanishing also.
Wait, why didn't they try that before? The technology back then couldn't do it?
[QUOTE=DEMONSKUL;45942107]Wait, why didn't they try that before? The technology back then couldn't do it?[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]They combined different instruments to scan the area to a depth of three metres, with [b]unprecedented[/b] resolution.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=proch;45941791]Jesus christ what how does that even work this is amazing[/QUOTE]
Basically right, it's radar, that penetrates the ground when you point it at the ground, pretty cutting edge stuff.
Nah but seriously it's basically just pumping microwaves into the ground and waiting for the echo.
[QUOTE=Thomo_UK;45941586]Stobehenge too based, I want to visit someday[/QUOTE]
I don't know i visited it a few years ago, it was nothing special.
[QUOTE=Doozle;45942001]It's not that good, it costs a fortune then you're roped about 20 yards from the thing. You're probably better off just looking at it as you go past.[/QUOTE]
Unless you go on a summer or winter solstice.
I've attended two summer solstices and they were brilliant, you can touch, sit on, lean against and climb onto the rocks, in a respectful manor of course. It's a lovely atmosphere, despite the amount of people on drugs (not that that needs to be seen in a negative light, many of those people are simply doing it to "tune in"). Also, you can chill with the druids and there's drums being played in the middle of the stones, it's pretty crowded in the centre but you can still venture off into the landscape and immerse yourself in the vibe. I'd recommend it.
[QUOTE=TaniaTiger;45944213]Unless you go on a summer or winter solstice.
[/QUOTE]
Bah, a holiday ruined by neo-cults of 'druids' and 'pagans' with their yuppy friends looking for a excuse to do some drugs.
[QUOTE=Vasili;45944360]Bah, a holiday ruined by neo-cults of 'druids' and 'pagans' with their yuppy friends looking for a excuse to do some drugs.[/QUOTE]
Fucking posers, everyone knows we're the cool pagans and only do drugs for the mind expanding experiences.
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