Can X Marks solve an age old question

**thescot** · 23rd February 07, 06:26 AM

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** · 23rd February 07, 06:55 AM

Martians, just has to be martians.

**Splash_4** · 23rd February 07, 07:18 AM

Originally Posted by RK-REX

Martians, just has to be martians.

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

**Rampant Lion** · 23rd February 07, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 23rd February 07, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by Rampant Lion

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** · 23rd February 07, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by Caradoc

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** · 23rd February 07, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by Caradoc

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** · 23rd February 07, 01:27 PM

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** · 24th February 07, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

Now all you need is a will to make Stonehenge and Woodhenge. Humans will find a way. We always have.

Why is probably the easiest. Some guy thought it would look nice. Unfortunately, this guy had lots of power. It's the reason many of the great structures were built.