Brazilian Stonehenge Discovered
- From: Topiltzin-2091@xxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 13 May 2006 21:57:33 -0500
'Brazilian Stonehenge' discovered
By Steve Kingstone
BBC News, Sao Paulo
Brazilian archaeologists have found an ancient stone structure in a
remote corner of the Amazon that may cast new light on the region's
past.
The site, thought to be an observatory or place of worship, pre-dates
European colonisation and is said to suggest a sophisticated knowledge
of astronomy.
Its appearance is being compared to the English site of Stonehenge.
It was traditionally thought that before European colonisation, the
Amazon had no advanced societies.
Winter solstice
The archaeologists made the discovery in the state of Amapa, in the far
north of Brazil.
A total of 127 large blocks of stone were found driven into the ground
on top of a hill.
Well preserved and each weighing several tons, the stones were arranged
upright and evenly spaced.
It is not yet known when the structure was built, but fragments of
indigenous pottery found at the site are thought to be 2,000 years old.
What impressed researchers was the sophistication of the construction.
The stones appear to have been laid out to help pinpoint the winter
solstice, when the sun is at its lowest in the sky.
It is thought the ancient people of the Amazon used the stars and phases
of the moon to determine crop cycles.
Although the discovery at Amapa is being compared to Stonehenge, the
ancient stone circle in southern England, the English site is
considerably older.
It is thought to have been erected some time between 3000 and 1600 BC.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/americas/4767717.stm
© BBC MMVI
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