Megalithic Cosmic Indicators
Nabta | Newgrange | Stonehenge | Big Horn Medicine Wheel | Related Links
The oldest known astronomical
alignment of megaliths in the world are in the Sahara West of the
Nile at Nabta, Egypt. Built approximately 6,000 years ago near an
ancient lake, the site consists of a stone circle and upright and
toppled megaliths which radiate out from center stone structures
with flattened tops. Vertical sighting stones in the circle
correspond to the zenith sun during the summer solstice which
would cast no shadow. Five thousand years ago the solstice marked
the beginning of the summer monsoon rains which once fell in this
part of the desert. Beneath the central structures,
archaeologists found the skeletal remains of cattle.
This megalithic site with its
corbelled stone roofing and giant capstone was built five
thousand years ago and has an astronomical alignment oriented to
the winter solstice. On that day, the light of the rising sun
shines through the heel stones (located to the right) and extends
through the entrance down a
passage to the interior chamber. Other sites in Ireland,
including the unexcavated passage grave in Knowth, contain large
quantities of the "cremains" of human bones which have
been washed white. Information on the Newgrange
excavations.
Stonehenge,
England was first used about 5,000 years ago. Begun as a lunar
temple with fifty-three stake holes (in the foreground shadow),
the original entrance aligned with the most northerly rise of the
moon. Later, the entrance to the site was modified for the sun.
The circle of stones indicate the points of midsummer sunrise and
midwinter sunset behind the heel stone (located to the right). You can take a Virtual
Tour of Stonehenge.
The stone circle
Medicine Wheel in Wyoming is approximately ninety feet in
diameter and was apparently also used for sunsighting. The
central cairn is twelve feet in diameter and there are star-sighting
points distributed along the twenty-eight spokes of the wheel.