Can X Marks solve an age old question

[Derek]

There lies a small group of hills in West Wales called The Presili Mountains. It is the only place in the UK where Bluestone appears.



So how did they, in 2000BC, know that Bluestone was there, dig it out and carve it into blocks, then transport 80 stones each weighing 4 tons each, 240 miles from West Wales to here, Stongehenge. Plus, why did it have to be Bluestone and not like the rest of the stone that makes up most of Stongehenge



No one to date has actually cracked how they did it all ... just thought I give us X Markers a challenge too

Iechyd Da
Derek

[thescot]

I saw a special on--I think--the History Channel in which some . . . geologists? students? people actually got some stones like that, hauled 'em to the site, and dug inclined holes to make it easier to stand 'em up. I think they floated them to the site, but I don't recall the details.

No proof, but possible since they did it with tools that would have been available.

[RK-REX]

Martians, just has to be martians.

[Splash_4]

Martians, just has to be martians.

Why do you think the Picts used woad??? They were Martians in disguise!

[Rampant Lion]

I saw a special on--I think--the History Channel in which some . . . geologists? students? people actually got some stones like that, hauled 'em to the site, and dug inclined holes to make it easier to stand 'em up. I think they floated them to the site, but I don't recall the details.

No proof, but possible since they did it with tools that would have been available.

I think I saw that same special. Is this the one where this guy (I think he was a carpenter) actually showed a working example of out the stones that lie across the top could've been raised. It was really interesting. As for the Bluestone, I think you're right. They floated them when they could and rolled them on logs when they could.

[Caradoc]

They floated them when they could and rolled them on logs when they could.

That works a lot better than people think.

A friend of a friend destroyed his truck with a half-ton chunk of rock when he put it on the rollers (made from chunks of telephone pole), and it rolled right into the side of the truck at a pretty good rate of speed.

Yes, whisky was involved in that one.

(Important note: if you're planning on trying this, do NOT lay out more rollers than one length of stone, so if it gets away from you it STOPS.)

[RK-REX]

That works a lot better than people think.

A friend of a friend destroyed his truck ...............snip......................
(Important note: if you're planning on trying this, do NOT lay out more rollers than one length of stone, so if it gets away from you it STOPS.)

AND... Always be sure to have someone running a video camera. ;)

[Fearnest]

That works a lot better than people think.

A friend of a friend destroyed his truck with a half-ton chunk of rock when he put it on the rollers (made from chunks of telephone pole), and it rolled right into the side of the truck at a pretty good rate of speed.

Yes, whisky was involved in that one.

(Important note: if you're planning on trying this, do NOT lay out more rollers than one length of stone, so if it gets away from you it STOPS.)

Never, EVER, get mixed up in something like this... especially when your buddy says "Dude, watch this!"

[The Wizard of BC]

Derek, a serious answer to your question is that the early ones didn't have TV and Professional Football to waste time on. They knew their enviroment intimatly. All their recesources came from the natural world and they were always on the lookout for new and different rocks, plants, animals.
As soon as you find something, you figure out what you can use it for.
The early ones were not dumb. In fact they were just as smart as today. They had their geniuses too. Have you ever held a Clovis point in you hand. Amazing the dexterity and intimate knowledge of the stone needed to make one of those. I can't do it, and I've got books and computers to show me how.

And Trade - It was far more widespread than we thought 10 years ago. In N. America flint from the hills of Texas was traded all the way to Canada.
In the British Isles chalk from the south and coal from the midlands are found at almost every site. These only hint at the vast and active trade of the times.

Of course they knew Bluestone existed, and where it was found. Now all you need is a will to make Stonehenge and Woodhenge. Humans will find a way. We always have.

[davedove]

"Dude, watch this!"

Many hospital wings have been built as a result of these three words.