June 7, 2008
Stonehenge and a ‘lost’ pyramid
Just had to mention a couple of pieces of news I spotted in the last week, because I love these mysterious, ancient places.
The first, the emergence of a new theory that Stonehenge was a burial site for some ‘royal’ family (Stonehenge used as burial site for hundreds of years: study, AFP, May 30, 2007). Rather less romantic than the theory that it was used as a place for sacred, mysterious druid rites, of course. But I like this more down-to-earth theory.
By the way, if you’re thinking of going to see Stonehenge, I’ve been, and honestly, it’s not worth visiting. They don’t allow you near enough to have a good view of the site.
I’m still fascinated by the structure, though — by the who, and the why. And on reflection, it also appeals to my aesthetic sense. There’s a simplicity about the stones, an elegance. And I’ve always loved geometric shapes like circles, triangles, etc. Which probably explains my other interest — the pyramids, and the recent discovery of a “Lost” Pyramid Found Buried in Egypt (National Geographic, June 5, 2008)
A pyramid has just been reclaimed, after being ‘lost’ under the desert sands. The Egyptian pyramids are impressive precisely because of that, because they’re set among the shifting sands. When you stand near these ancient structures, there’s a sense of fading to insignificance, of being just a tiny speck in human history. An awesome feeling. I still think of Egypt as the best place I’ve ever been to.
Crooked Turret 