Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza – Mexico

Chichen Itza

The Pre-Hispanic culture

Latin America in general and the Mesoamerican region of Mexico in particular is a place where history literally lies asleep; through the monuments and images created by the numerous ethnic tribes who lived in the area centuries back. In other words we can say that these objects are sentinels of a rich culture that bound these people together for thousands of years. The Chichen Itza monuments are the creation of the Maya Civilization that existed in this are during 600 AD. The whole monuments are located in the northern center of the Yucatan Peninsula and managed by National Institute of Anthropology and History Mexico (INAH); but the land is owned by Barbachano family.

The power of myths!

The amazing constructions built by these prehistoric people remain as striking objects for the modern world to wonder that how these people in the absence of wheeled cart made all these. Still more wonderful thing is how these tribes constituted such an empire and lived together, how such fathomless myths led an empire to form a cohesive society; remains as yet another wonder; even the well armed modern military fail to hold a nation together. Please remember the Inca Empire almost whole South America and the Caribbean.

Capital of the Mayan Empire

Chichen Itza Map courtsey: cancun.bz

The Chichen Itza city (means ‘at the mouth of the well of Itza’) was the capital of the Mayan Rulers where numerous structures of great archeological value are located; while some of them are mere remnants a good number of them are intact enough to tell their tales. The ancient city of Chichen Itza lies in the Yucatan peninsula in the Mesoamerican region (the Mesoamerican region is that comes between two Americas).

No wheeled carts no animals to work

Chichen Itza - Columns in the Temple of a Thousand Warriors

These people did not know the how to tame animals and make them work and wheeled carts were also were not known to them. They were experts in geometry, medical sciences, astrology, architecture etc. Their architecture was a mixture of what prevailed in middle Mexico and the locally developed skills.

Cenote Segrado!

Northern Yucatan area where Chichen Itza is located is an arid region and there is no river or other water bodies. The whole city’s water requirement was met from two natural water holes by name cenotes. The city itself was named (as ‘well at the mouth of Chichen Itza’) so because of the presence of these two natural water holes; of which the ‘Cenote Segrado’ (sacred cenote) is the most famous (it still enjoys the status of a pilgrimage center). Examination of these natural water holes have revealed the presence of human bones with markings of ritual sacrifices; hence it is presumed that people even conducted human sacrifices to please the Gods for uninterrupted availability of water.

Tlabloc the terrible!

However good the meat is it doesn’t taste without gravy, myths are the gravy that makes the daily life bearable; for the Mayan and the Toltec there is no dearth for myths; as these were for them; their life blood. Chac and Tlaloc were their favorite gods. Tlaloc belongs to the Aztec Myths; he was considered as the rain-god as well as the god of virility. Aztecs sacrificed children to please this fearsome god with projected eyes, sharp canines, feather-cap etc. Chac is a world apart he wears an axe with which he strikes at the clouds to form lightening.

Qeqchi myth

The Sun, Moon and the Chac are brothers; they have a tyrant adoptive mother who used to abuse these sons. One day these brothers together defeat and drove away the adoptive mother and her lover. After the exit of the mother friendship between them did not last. One day Sun finds Chac doing adultery with Sun’s wife. The punishment given to Chac was such that he remembers it for ever and shed tears in the form of rain. The rain water is actually Chac’s tears. Before he starts weeping he may angrily strike the clouds with his axe to produce lightening! .

Kukulcan Temple.

Chichen Itza - Chac Mool Statue image courtsey: yucatantoday.com

Let us have a brief look these structures one by one; the first and the most prominent is the El Castillo; the Temple of Kukulcan (known as Quetzal coatl in Maya language). This is a huge step pyramid made in accordance with astronomical events. At the time of spring or fall equinoxes; the shadow of the rising and setting sun resembles a plumed serpent (a mythical creature depicted as half serpent and half bird) worshiped by Toltec and Aztec Civilizations. (Kukulcan and Quetzal coatl also mean the serpent in their language). There was one more temple unearthed from the same compound.

The temple of the Warriors

This complex is a large stepped pyramid fronted with large columns representing soldiers, at the top of the stairways on the summit of the pyramid is located a magnificent statue of the Chacmool (a lying man with head partly raised, the myth regarding it is unknown).

The Great Ball-Court, The most impressive play-field ever found in any archeological sites. It is 166 * 68 meters in size surrounded by a 12 meter tall wall. It is believed the field was used to play the Mesoamerican ball game.

Las Monjas is a complex for the Government offices; the Spanish earlier took it for a nunnery hence this name Las Monjas (nunnery) and hence the misnomer. This complex consist of numerous structures all built in ‘Puuc’ style (carvings in veneer stone embedded in concrete).

The La Iglesia in the Las Monjas complex, The High Priest’s Temple, El Caracol all are there open for the tourists.

Cultural invasion

It has been established that there was human inhabitation in Mexico more than 10,000 years back; from then to the 16^th century (up to the arrival of the Europeans) there arose so many civilizations, Izapa, Teotihuacan, Maya, Zapotec, Toltec, Aztec etc are just some of them; which were destined to arise, flourish and ultimately perish in the blessed soil of Mesoamerica. These cultures before there end fortunately left many monuments for the present world to see and remember them with affection.

Long live these monuments!

Chichen Itza - Templo de los Guerreros (Temple of the Warriors)

These are things of the past; these entire scenarios changed with the arrival of Europeans who made an invasion not only physical form; but the cultural invasion they made was far deeper that led to the death of the soul of the innocent people. The remnants of most of the monuments still have marks of burning that hints the violent reprisals these cultural monuments had undergone. As all those cultures are dead; let us hope ‘long live these monuments’!

Petra

Petra

petra image courtsey: bibleplaces.com

Petra - Jordan, ‘a rose red city half as old as time’.

A ghost city all carved in solid rocks,

Petra in Jordan is a World Heritage Site on the slopes of Mount Hor at the south west of part of Jordan. It lies in a basin between two mountains and bordered by the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aquaba. There is no clear idea when all these constructions were made; it is generally believed that it has been there for more than two thousand years. This city is at present uninhabited but has the remnants of all amenities its dwellers enjoyed; all made of carved and finished granites and sandstones. The Petra city was located in the ancient trade routes between Gaza, Bosra and Damascus; the whole complex remained unknown to the modern world until a Swiss explorer John Ludwig Burckhardt discovered it in 1812.

The Nabataeans!

Petra monastery

It remains a mystery that only in 1812 AD the modern world came to know about the existence of this rock city which housed a great historically important culture. Petra City was capital of the Nabataeans; a tribe engaged in trading and lived in Jordan and southern part of Arabia. These Nabataeans were pre Islamic tribes and were experts in trade as well as water supply-techniques. They were smart enough to create a perennial stream of water for the use of this city located in the arid desert. For this purpose they built a dam and connected its water to the city through sand-pipes. The Petra site has been described by the UNESCO as the ‘most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage’.

A place in the Dead Sea Scrolls,

petra image courtsey: bibleplaces.com

The Dead Sea Scrolls discovered from the eleven caves of Wadi in Qumran from the north shore of the Dead Sea have references of this city; which was known as Rakem at that time. These Scrolls comprising 900 very rare documents contained a Bible written in Hebrew belonged to the 1^st century AD was the only one of its kind. These scrolls were discovered between 1947 and 1956; are being scrutinized. It is believed that they are potent enough to make dramatic changes in the whole recorded history of the world.

Architecture and styles,

Petra Amphitheatre

Historians and archeologists rake their heads to determine the exact time the city was built, there are no written records to prove any and hence they depend upon the style of architecture adopted to calculate the age of the city. The architecture involved in the numerous structures exhibit Greek, Roman and Syrian styles; the local style is considered as good as lost. In an attempt to estimate the period of origin of this culture; historians take pre Hellenic tombs (of Greek origin) as the base as they are the earliest structures found intact; it is estimated that they are not older than 6^th century BC.

El Khazneh (the treasury),

The present entrance in to the site is through east through the Musa Wadi (Musa’s Valley); from there a narrow and dark gorge with high standing rocks on both sides called ‘Siq’ leads to the Petra Site. The Siq is of varying width from three to four meters and end before the courtyard of an enchanting structure- the El Khzneh or the treasury. Though it was only a royal tomb the title of treasury it acquired following a local legend. For years robbers found it as a secure hide. People spread rumors as a big urn kept there contained the loot deposited by the robbers. Hearing all these rumors; the Bedouin Arabs went there to secure the loot; they tried to break it by firing bullets; without knowing that it was made of solid rock! The urn still bears the mark of bullet hits.

Early morning or afternoon,

There are altogether 800 individual monuments in this large complex like temples, funerary halls, arched gateways, an elaborate theater, and waterway made of natural split in the granite structures to carry water to the Haji Musa River all carved out of shining sand-stone! The row of invaluable monuments stretch several kilometers, it is advisable to the tourists to select early morning or afternoon to pay visits as they can evade the hot desert time as well as see the cut sand-stones of the structures reflecting the sunrays in multicolor spectrum. The most magnificent structure is the El Khzaneh (the treasury building); with its carved rose sandstone facade standing tall; a sight which has no parallel.

The life that once existed,

Nabataeans the original occupants of the city were followers of Pagan faith who spoke Aramaic (a Semitic language used for divine worship; with 3000 old history in which many original portions of the Bible was written) worshipped Dushara –a male god who was flanked by three female goddesses namely Uzza, Allat and Manah. Along with these gods they worshipped some deified emperors who ruled the land; the whole site is dotted with the statues of these gods. What were their mythologies, how these emperors ruled the land; all are left to the imagination of the viewers as no written versions are available.

Mosses aka Musa Nabi,

Written records are available after the entry of Christianity in to the arena in AD 500; and there are references of an ‘Antioch-10 Bishop of Petra’, in the records of Pope Antonosius 1 of Alexandria. AD 629 -632 was the turn of the Islam to conquer the Petra. As per the Islamic versions Petra is the place where Musa Nabi (Mosses for Christians) happened to beat a stone with his stick and spot turned out to be an eternal source of water. The nearby valley is also known as Musa Wadi meaning the Valley of Musa.

The decline,

It is believed that an earthquake shattered the path of water and the town became arid devoid of the life giving water source. People had to migrate to places for a living leaving Petra as a ghost city. The development of sea-route also diminished the trade importance of this place. As the place got devoid of population thieves found it a treasure trove and random looting took away valuable historical monuments; completing its total decline. The carved granite mansions remain defying thieves and robbers and as sentinels who tell long stories of a bygone age to the numerous visitors who flock to Petra in search of some monuments that has no parallel anywhere in the world.

Petra at present,

Petra image courtsey: civilization.ca

The Petra Monuments of Jordan is a UNESCO approved World Heritage Site; in a recently held pole (in 7^th July 2007) Petra has been selected as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is just 4 hour drive from Amman the capital of Jordan, though robbed off much of its splendor; it still has much to thrill a visitor. This ‘rose red city’ with its more than 900 monuments is a major tourist attraction and visited by thousands of tourists every year.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, Peru, -The Legendary Lost City

View of Huayna Picchu towering above the ruins of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu (means old peak in the local language) is the most amazing remnants of the Inca Empire and great civilization that engulfed the whole of South America. It is located in the Eastern Slope of the Andes Mountain overlooking the Urubamba River-Valley about 70 kilometer north-west of the Peruvian town Cusco. The site is 7000 feet above sea-level and consists of temples, giant walls, pathways, gardens, ramps and remnants of buildings and halls all built on the terraces made on mountain slopes. It is estimated that its construction took place in 1450 AD by the Inca Emperor Pacha Cuti. The total area of the site is five sq km.

No script; not even wheels; yet!

There are altogether about 140 constructions in this site; all made of shaped and polished stones so tightly packed leaving no gaps between them. All these structures were made by the Incas who did not know about wheels and carts. They did not even have a script hence written statements regarding these works or the technology they adopted is not available. As these works are done on mountain slopes and more than hundred steps to connect them; all cut in stone. Remnants of fountains used to irrigate garden-plants, and vents for the disposal of waste and storm-water; all made of stones!

What purpose?

Machu Picchu Temple of the Sun

Differences of opinion exist among experts regarding the purpose of all these constructions in the slope of a remote mountain; all surrounded by dense tropical forests. There was human inhabitation in this ‘lost city’ from its construction on 1440 till 1532 and about 750 people resided here. One of the opinions is that; it was the hiding place for high-profile leaders in the events of any attack, it also is considered as the capital to manage the economic affairs of Inca regions occupied by the Spanish. A more credible one is this that it was only a retreat for the Royal and influential ones of the society. Whatever be the case this site was never found by the invading Spanish, even the outside world come to know about it only in the 20^th century!

The Inca Empire and its civilization,

The Intihuatana ("sun-tier") is believed to have been designed as an astronomic clock by the Incas

The Inca Empire originated as a small tribal village in 1197 under the tribal chief Manco Capac; with the city of Cuzco (also spelt Cusco) as its base; it later grew to an empire with a unique culture under Pacha Cuti by 1438 to embrace the whole of Latin America. The people followed a Pagan path and the main goddess of Incas was ‘Pacha mama’ along with it the Incas worshiped numerous gods including the Sun God. Their main language was Quechus.

The Incas excelled in architecture -as seen in the Machu Picchu-; they had an advanced treatment methods (conducted surgery using Cocoa leaf as sedative). This noble culture believed in rebirths and its moral standing was based on three fundamental principles, they were ama suwa, ama llulla, ama quella; meaning don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t be lazy. The beginning of the end of a great culture and an empire was with arrival of Francisco Pizzaro the Spanish invader who came in search of gold and got far more than what he had bargained- a whole empire!

Trinity,

The whole ‘city’ of Machu Picchu (also spelt Machu Picchu) consisted of three blocks; one of the three portions was for temple and priests; the main and central portion of it was the ‘Intihuatana’ a shrine for the Sun-God made of shining black granite. It is believed that this temple is constructed in alignment with astronomical positions. The second was for the intellectuals and the influential ones well made with more amenities. The third portion is believed to be for prisoners and remnants equipments to hold them in captivity are visible. As the Mach Picchu site was never discovered by the Spanish and there is no evidence that the Spanish was behind its destruction.

Unsung explorers!

Machu Picchu Seven Wonders of the World

One interesting fact about this site is that the modern world come to know about its existence only very recently when Hiram Bingham a historian and lecturer in the Yale University ‘discovered’ the site in 28^th July 1911.There are many citations regarding numerous people seen this site, but it was Mr. Bingham who actually presented a comprehensive report to the outside world. He has even written a book about this location titled ‘The Legendary Lost City’. It was a pity that he had not mentioned anything about the local persons who led him to the site; just remarked ‘local rumors’ led him.

Yale v/s Peru and some rare things,

Mr. Bingham has done one more thing; he traveled throughout the area and collected whatever artifacts he could collect and deposited at the Yale University Museum; this lead to an Ownership dispute between the government of Peru and the university. As a result University of Yale returned a portion of the artifacts to the Government of Peru and in a final settlement reached in 2007 the rest have been agreed to be returned. At present these rare artifacts are safe in the Museum of Yale. What will happen to them after some years of the handing over remains to be seen, let’s be optimistic!

From Heritage to Endangered!

View of Machu Picchu from Huayna Picchu

The Machu Picchu site has turned out to be a hot tourist destination and about 400,000 tourists visit the site every year. This heavy influx has created problems with the remnants and its environments. The Peru government in its greed to collect maximum revenue has started giving permission to construct hotels and resorts in such a delicate area! Scientists and naturalists are fighting pitched battles against the short sighted policies of the greedy government. The UNESCO in 1983 declared this site as a World Heritage Site; but things are moving in such a way to devastate the site; and it has been reported that the status of Machu Picchu will soon be downgraded as an endangered site. A fall from World Heritage Site to endangered site; what a pity!

Seven Wonders of the Medieval World

Seven Wonders of the Medieval World

Three lists,

When a subject is taken for one among the seven wonders; its time of construction comes first, as the scope of the builders is bound by the limitations of that time, hence separate lists of seven wonders exist for each age namely Ancient, Medieval and Modern.

Taking world at his strides

In this article we present the Seven Wonders of the medieval times. The significance with medieval period is that it was a time man has started to show his might as a super being and began to show his presence felt by building landmarks with super size or super looks.

Loosing the power to wonder!

In the ancient times man was not so much organized and technology was too crude to work wonders, whereas in this modern times technology has outdated the concept of wonder itself, as every thing has been made possible by the press of a button! Man has lost the power to get wonderstruck!

Click on the Links / Images to navigate to full Articles.

1. Stonehenge

Stonehenge - Seven Wonders of the Medieval World

The Stonehenge consists of a number of big long-cut stones arranged in a strange pattern, the purpose of bringing such huge stones to this place and arranging them in this particular pattern is subject to much study and speculation. click here to read the full article...

2. The Colosseum

The Colosseum - Seven Wonders of the Medieval World

The Colosseum is not just a colossal structure situated at the heart of Rome; it was companion to the history of the great Roman Empire which boldly outlived the Empire facing all strives and tribulations associated with the fall of the Empire. click here to read the full article...

3. The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa - Seven Wonders of the Medieval World

These Catacombs are subterranean funeral halls; cut in rock; with galleries for the dead one’s coffins, places for conducting last rites; staircases and dining halls for the ritual feasts to be held associated with the funeral etc all carved in rock. click here to read the full article...

4. The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China - Seven Wonders of the Medieval World

The Great Wall of China was built between 5^th and 16^th century by the Ming Dynasty. As the construction was a rather prolonged affair spanning eleven long centuries; many kings and dynasties were born and dead and all have something to add to this great monument. The present wall is the last in a series of wall constructed by various dynasties. click here to read the full article...

5. The Porcelain Tower of Nanjing

The Porcelain Tower of Nanjing - Seven Wonders of the Medieval World

This Buddhist Pagoda known as the Porcelain Tower does not exist now; yet in history this magnificent tower that radiated sunrays and functioned as a center of pilgrimage stands tall among world wonders. As per records this Buddhist Pagoda was constructed by a Chinese Emperor by name Yung le in the 15^th century. click here to read the full article...

6. The Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia - Seven Wonders of the Medieval World

In Istanbul Turkey there stands the most beautiful building the ‘Aya Sofya’ with many old names by which it was known and many old roles it had made to play in the centuries that passed after its construction. It in its course has been burned down to ashes, crumbled down in earth quakes and got vandalized by rioters. click here to read the full article...

7. The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Leaning Tower of Pisa - Seven Wonders of the Medieval World

Like all other structures the Tower of Pisa was also built to stand straight, but the fate of this particular one is to stand leaning for all its life. This lean turned out to be the tower’s identity and the credit of the Whole Pisa city. click here to read the full article...

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa image courtsey: touregypt.net

An underground city for the dead

As deep as the netherworld

Egypt is famous not only for its Pyramids which are tombs for the dead and rise to tremendous heights so as to kiss the heaven, but these tombs of Kom el Shoqafa or Mound of Shards (Lofus Kiramaikos in Greek) do just the opposite; they go deep in to the grounds to embrace the netherworld. The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa may not be as famous or visible as the pyramids but they are equally astonishing and perhaps more intriguing than the Pyramids –the mother of all wonders. No wonder they are listed as one among the Seven Medieval Wonders of the World.

What are these catacombs?

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa image courtsey: touregypt.net

These Catacombs are subterranean funeral halls; cut in rock; with galleries for the dead one’s coffins, places for conducting last rites; staircases and dining halls for the ritual feasts to be held associated with the funeral etc all carved in rock. In olden days Christians of the Roman empires also were resorted to bury their dead in subterranean catacombs to evade desecration by the oppressive regimes. Kom el Shoqafa structures were of Pagan sects. The Pharaoh-Cult members believed in rebirths of the dead; hence placed the bodies of the dead intact in sub terrene caves cut in rocks.

A fusion of three great civilizations,

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa image courtsey: touregypt.net

The Catacombs are located in a fishing village of Rhakolis; the old part of City of Alexandria in Egypt (Alexandria is known as the Paris of antiquity) where Influence of Greek culture is still very much visible in architecture and artworks scattered throughout the city. The historical turmoil taken place during the past centuries have either eliminated or shattered much of the rich monuments those were standing on the ground (Pyramids though battered to great extents withstood all adversities). The ‘necropolis’ (meaning the city of the dead) by which such sites are called are underground cemeteries could escape damage because of their advantageous location. The Kom el Shoqafa Cemetery is the most beautiful as well as one among all the catacombs.

Tunnels of the 20^th century bow your heads in shame!

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa image courtsey: touregypt.net

The Kom el Shoqafa; though not a big ‘city’ is big enough to house as much dead as they required and enough space was provided to conduct the last rites of the dead as per their existing customs, staircases and tunnels to connect all these together. As dead ones need no recreational facilities; so many facilities can be supposed to be more than enough for them. The construction can easily equal the modern-day subways and tunnel in the technology adopted for its construction but as far as aesthetics are concerned it was far superior to our 20^th century subways and monotonous tunnels!

A virtual museum!

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa image courtsey: touregypt.net

This underground cemetery is believed to have built in the 1^st century at the time of the Antonine Emperors are also known as Mound of Shards meaning a mound of broken materials like glass stones etc. Members of the ‘Pharaonic cult’ were following Pagan rites as the organized religions were not in vogue two statues one of a man and the other a woman, the Sun God with wings flanked by two falcons, gods of the Roman and ancient Egyptian order like Sobek (the crocodile tailed god), Anubis (the god with head of dog) and the likes. The fusion of the arts and architecture of Imperial Roman Empire, Hellenistic (Greek origin) as well as the Egyptian styles is the main importance this site is that it is a typical case-study for the students of archeology, in that aspect itself it surpasses the Pyramids and remains one of the most memorable monuments of Egypt.

The discovery,

The strange thing is that the whole site was lying unknown till until one Friday 28the September, 1900 though there were excavations going on here for ancient monuments for several decades. It is said that a donkey that happened to fall in to a pit! Yes; no joke; a donkey accidentally fell in to a deep pit in the ground and the donkey’s trail led to discovery of this site! This story is contradicted by more reliable sources as while excavating land for stones; one Alexandrian by name Monsieur Es Sayed Aly Gibarah happened find the extraordinary things and he informed the Alexandria Museum authorities and it was thus the secret of an ancient cemetery was discovered by the world. The credit is shared by one Betti on the museum.

The complex,

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa image courtsey: touregypt.net

It was a virtual treasure that was unfolded before the authorities who came hearing the news; something the authorities could not find for decades straightly came before them to be ‘discovered’; all filled with mud and water. When the dirt was pumped out and washed there gradually appeared a funeral complex with all paraphernalia. In the beginning a deep stairway with 99 steps that led them to a vestibule in the ground level which had two opposed niches (recess in the walls) well paved with alabaster (a type of marble used in classical works) believed to be resting place for the visitors.

In the first stage include a platform for funeral rituals, a vestibule with double exedra (arcade for assembly), a rotunda (hall with a dome), a Roman style triclinium (a big dining-table with chairs at three sides) and what else?

In the second stage there were the main accessible from the rotunda through staircase tombs Hundreds of chambers and numerous sarcophagus tombs (‘sarcophagi’ literally means body eater as these types of rocks absorb body matter they are called so), and what else? Magnificent statues, decorations on all proper places, images, ornate carvings and practically everything needed for a funeral hall.

A perfect creation!

The whole complex is nothing short of a complete funeral complex; all cut in a rock with a depth equal to the height of a five storied building a shaft of six meter in diameter provided to let light and fresh-air in. This shaft had holes with the stairways to light up the stairs. The real delight for the archeologists is the names provided on the tombs of the dead. The scripts written, the motif, the engravings, statues and even the coffins are all treasures not only to the archeologists but all who love their heritage and history.

Millenniums never end!

In a sense catacombs were escape roots to the oppressed and the hunted to preserve their rituals and heritage, and at the same time it has become a medium for them to communicate with people who happened to see it after twenty long centuries. A tale of oppression suffered by some people and their brave survival strategies; along with expression of creative talents in the middle of sufferings. When the people of the 21^st century see and appreciate their culture the souls of these people even heave a sigh of relief, let us hope these people rest in their tombs in eternal peace for far more millenniums to come!.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge

Stonehenge

Among pre-historic tribes for a while.

It seems strange and unbelievable that Britain a symbol and torch-bearer of modernity could conceal in its lap; such an ancient monument made by some prehistoric people supposed to have lived as far as 5000 years back. In usual cases such ancient monuments are found in Asia or Africa. The Stonehenge as this site is known is located in a small city by name Bath in south-west England; about two hour bus-journey from London. The City of Bath was founded by the Romans and it has hot springs; famous for their medicinal properties. The city got its name as it was the bathing spot of Roman Lords. This hot spring is still there in well preserved state and there is a 500 year old church nearby. Romans called the city Aquae Sulis.

The pattern with some riddle in store.

Plan of Stonehenge today. After Cleal et al. and Pitts.

It is believed that these formations pertain to about 3000 BC involving massive human labor not less than 30 million man-hours. It is also found that the work was completed in three phases with more than one interruption in between. One of the stoppages took more than 1000 years.

The Stonehenge consists of a number of big long-cut stones arranged in a strange pattern, the purpose of bringing such huge stones to this place and arranging them in this particular pattern is subject to much study and speculation.

There is a large earth-work (henge) comprising of a ditch around the bank with round pits in chalk of about one meter wide. The megaliths arranged in middle of the bank; as the outermost layer there is a circle formed of Sarsen stones; within that there is an inner circle of blue stones as the second layer. In the central portion (the core) five trilithons placed in a horse-shoe pattern; with its axis directed to the midsummer sunrise.

Why all these were made?

Stonehenge photo taken July 1877

Plainly speaking it is a structure made of huge stones of various types; by people who lived there in the prehistoric times. They might have intended the site to be auspicious for performing some sort of religious rituals. As human bones have recovered from beneath the site it is also assumed that it might have been used as an altar for performing human sacrifices. The types of stones used include Blue-stone, Sarsen, Welsh and Sandstone etc. As the arrangement is in such a fashion that its axis was aligned towards midsummer sunrise it is supposed that the tribes which installed these stones had worshipped celestial bodies like sun, moon and the stars.

What exactly is the Stonehenge?

The site is in UK and let us probe what Englishmen have to say about it, Oxford being the tongue of England let us hear what the Oxford Dictionary has to say about this riddle.

“The Stonehenge is a megalithic monument located in Salisbury plains, Wiltshire UK, which was completed in several constructional from 2950 BC. It is composed of circle of Sarsen stones, surrounded by a bank and ditch enclosing a circle of smaller blue stones. Within this inner-circle is a horse-shoe arrangement of five trilithons with the axis aligned on the midsummer sunrise, an orientation that was probably for ritual purposes”

No beating about the bushes; “just long enough to cover all the essentials and short enough to be attractive”! As one gentleman remarked when asked about the correct size of ladies skirts!

Megalithic monuments are monuments made of big stones used extensively in prehistoric monuments (mega + lithos = big + stone).

The Sarsen is a silicified (converted in to silica) stones found in the chalk downs of Southern England; it commonly used in other prehistoric monuments also for its easy availability.

Blue stones form the inner part of the formation; these stones are made of dolerite (igneous rock formed of solidified lava).

The five trilithons are structures; each made of three long stones two of them standing vertically on the floor and the third one horizontally placed on the top joining both of them as if a bridge.

Scientists! Rake thy brain.

Stonehenge 'Slaughter Stone' in the foreground

For Great Britain Stonehenge is not an isolated one as there is one or two such stone arrangement like that in Avebury complex about 25miles north from Wiltshire; which pertains to 2400 BC. Though Britain does not have a Pyramid or a Machu Pichu to boast of at least this site is a consolation; only thing absent is the missing links as to which tribe built it, how they lived, what sort of culture did they have, which human race did they belong etc. More than all these; the pattern of the stone arrangement and its purpose is perhaps more weird than the details of its makers.

Thank You Time-Machine!

A trip to Bath is like a time machine-ride; first stop at Bath 10 to 20 centuries back; there are remnants of the erstwhile Roman Empire to take you to the medieval period; like the hot spring-spas, the five hundred year old church, calm and serene country scenes etc. Bath is also famous for the ‘Bath-buns’ for those are worshippers of exotic dishes. Have a bath in a spring-water spa imagining a Roman Lord having it in the nearby room, pray in the church nearby thinking there are Roman beauties in the nearby seats and eat stomach full of Bath-buns as if it is found nowhere else. Ask the machine to take you to the stone-age -Stonehenge (the final point -5000 years back), see it as much as you please; feel weird things like that you are among the tribals (or even one among them!) enjoying their company.

Time travelers and their brides; it’s time!

sun rising over Stonehenge

At last; it is all over; the time machine (can also be called a bus) blows horn, o k let’s go back; let the machine to take us back to the 21^st century! Because all events; even if it is a virtual one; should have an end. Thank You ‘Time Machine’! Take us back to home; Bye; dear virtual comrades, Bye; Bath –the ‘Roman City’; Bye; Bye; Stonehenge.........!

High ways are happy ways,

When they lead to home;

Dear home......................!