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Scoop
17-06-2025
- Science
- Scoop
What Motivates People To Move Megaliths?
How humans moved large rocks to construct monuments has fueled many theories, even though it is a matter of physics and coordinated efforts by a large workforce. A more interesting concept to explore for prehistoric cultures is what made people care so much about certain rocks, or more specifically, what made them move these rocks for miles. Stone artifacts are valued to this day. In 2023, a 335-pound rock (152 kg) called the Stone of Scone was brought to Westminster Abbey for the coronation of King Charles III. Legends suggest it has a biblical origin, being used as Jacob's pillow in Palestine, but archaeologists and historians postulate that it originally came from Scotland because it is made out of sandstone, as opposed to the limestone bedrock of the Holy Land. This notable stone was part of Scotland's history until England 'stole' it in 1296. It was finally returned to Scotland in 1996, and now only makes brief trips to England. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading Seizing the Stone of Scone represented an assertion of power, and this reasoning for transporting artifacts is common throughout history. In the 19th century, the Luxor Obelisk was taken from the banks of the Nile and now stands in central Paris. Claiming an artifact, however, is different from quarrying stones and moving them long distances to erect menhirs and dolmens in a seemingly nondescript location. People were moving larger stones with minimal use of technology during prehistory. Megaliths are monuments comprising large stones, as opposed to a monumental feat of architecture made by carving blocks. One of the biggest questions about these mysterious sites is where the raw material was dug out of the earth. Excavations at quarrying sites for the most famous megaliths have led to surprising discoveries in the past 10 to 20 years. Stonehenge comprises two types of rock, the more iconic and larger sarsen stones having only traveled approximately 20 miles to Salisbury Plain. The smaller menhirs in the circle, called bluestones, traveled more than 200 miles from southwest Wales, which makes 'the distance from quarry to eventual destination… the maximum known for megalithic monuments anywhere in the world,' according to a 2022 study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science. According to a recent theory, the stones weren't quarried specifically for Stonehenge. In 2010, a smaller stone circle named Waun Mawn was discovered adjacent to the bluestone quarry in Wales. Excavations at this site dated it to be older than Stonehenge by a few centuries, and holes where missing bluestones once stood led to early theories that they were taken to build Stonehenge. Further research has yet to prove this, and more studies are still emerging, some debunking that theory. 'There is nothing at Waun Mawn to link this site in any way to Stonehenge… It is concluded that at Waun Mawn and elsewhere in West Wales there has been substantial 'interpretative inflation' driven by the desire to demonstrate a Stonehenge connection,' stated a 2024 study published in the Holocene. Meanwhile, if a 900-year-old legend is to be believed, Stonehenge was 'moved' from Ireland to its current location by giants under the orders of the wizard Merlin. These findings only raise more questions about the dynamics behind such an impressive mobilization of resources. The construction of megaliths, in some instances, likely involved materials traveling long distances, resulting from resource necessity and ceremonial importance. The monuments made of rocks lasted longer than others over the centuries and have been intentionally placed in areas where they were visible in the landscape. Visibility, placement, and arrangement are important aspects of how experts theorize prehistoric symbolism. Prestige and sacred importance are assumed to directly influence the effort undertaken during a prehistoric project, and this applies to the motivation people felt while erecting megaliths. The Korean Peninsula has the largest concentration of megaliths in the world, and has 40 percent of the world's dolmens, according to the Asia Society.. The Korean dolmen tombs typically contain the remains of one individual and are associated with the Bronze Age due to the types of artifacts in the burials. One conundrum for archaeologists is that fewer valuable grave goods were found in the more complex dolmens, which is counterintuitive to perceptions of what denotes prestige in archaeological theory. Europe, meanwhile, is home to 35,000 distinct stone orientations. Most of these megaliths date from 4,500 to 2,500 BC, according to an article in Discover magazine. Most of them are rings of menhirs like the Ring of Brodgar in Orkney, Scotland, or are dolmen grave markers like the Dolmen de Sa Coveccada on the coast of northeast Sardinia. A majority of dolmen grave markers and the rings of menhirs usually face the rising sun or have some sort of astronomical alignment, and are found in coastal parts of Europe. This is linked to a theory from 2019 that the practice of erecting such monuments originated in northwest France before spreading to other parts of Europe in waves, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. This theory was developed as more research and comprehensive radiocarbon dates consistently indicated that megalith sites in northwestern France, like the Carnac stones, were among the oldest at approximately 6,000 years old. A notable exception to this trend is the tallest single upright stone on the Iberian Peninsula, the Menir da Meada in Portugal, estimated to be 6,000 to 7,000 years old based on carbon-dated charcoal from the base of the stone. While the culture of certain megalith phenotypes may have spread through travel and exchange, it is also a mix of divergent and convergent development. Most of these European megaliths used raw materials from sources located between 10 and 20 miles from the site, and some were erected just adjacent to where they were quarried. In the case of these sites, compared to Stonehenge, resource availability seems to have played a larger role in placement than specific symbolism. This is difficult to discern since a short journey also involves a serious undertaking, but the coastal placement of many dolmens and menhirs likely has more clues to the underlying symbolism in construction. Sacred importance is generally the key to understanding megaliths in any cultural context, because they were used for cultic or ceremonial practices. One of the most significant megaliths for understanding ancient cultic practices is the Göbekli-Tepe complex in Turkey. It has T-shaped stone pillars erected and carved with animal motifs surrounding a central altar. It is more than 11,000 years old and only just predates agricultural developments for Upper Mesopotamia. The site is the only ceremonial center of such a high caliber for a prehistoric hunter-gatherer population. Possibly the oldest temple in the world, excavation work has continued to yield discoveries as of 2025 since it was first surveyed in 1963. Despite being so important for ceremony and belief traditions, the limestone slabs at Göbekli-Tepe were quarried just at the bottom of the hill from where the shrine was erected. The hunter-gatherers at the time were using stone flints to carve out the blocks 6,000 years before Stonehenge was built, and the process would have required a lot of effort, even though the blocks didn't need to be transported for long distances. There are multiple categories for megaliths. Stonehenge is a combination of menhirs, which are erected stones, and dolmens, which have one stone flat like a tabletop on two other stones. The well-known carved heads on Easter Island, Chile, are worked menhirs, along with the intricately-etched deer stones dotting the central Mongolian steppe, dated to the Bronze Age. Other types of megaliths are cairns, which are massive piles of rocks and boulders of varying sizes but are typically much smaller than any component of Stonehenge. These are usually associated with burials, like the phenotype linked to Mongolia's deer stones— Khirigsuurs. These massive stone mound burials indicate how many people gathered for and built a burial. The largest is more than a square kilometer. Many of these burial mounds also have rings or fences of smaller stone mounds containing horse remains. There are different subdivisions of cairns depending on styles and other architectural elements—similar to the ones in Mongolia—usually containing a burial chamber. This subgroup of megaliths is frequently linked with prestige since they are associated with burials. Cists usually have cairn traits with a more systematic structure, but specifically refer to the square stone structure in the middle of the monument. These are usually thought to be used for mortuary purposes, but some notable examples have no signs of human remains. Like Stonehenge, most megaliths have a combination of these features. Rujm el-Hiri, or 'Israel's Stonehenge,' has a central cist but is surrounded by expanding rings of concentric circles. There are lines of rocks connecting the outer rings in some sections that look like spokes, partly inspiring its Hebrew name, which translates to 'Wheel of Ghosts.' Even though artifacts, including gold jewelry were found here, the lack of human remains is part of the reason experts have made several speculations about its intended use, including a platform for sky burials, a sacrificial altar, and an astronomical observatory. The observatory theory was countered by an article published in November 2024 by Remote Sensing, arguing that due to tectonic activity and the movement of celestial bodies, the sides and spokes of Rujm el-Hiri would not be aligned like they are now when the megalith was constructed approximately 6,000 years ago. The question surrounding how megaliths were constructed has resulted in various theories despite a wide range of feasible and plausible solutions. Log rollers helped transport large stones well before a wheel or cart was devised. Using simple physics, it is theorized that holes were dug and then an A-frame of two timbers called a shearleg was set up to place a high fulcrum so people could pull ropes attached to the stone slab, erecting it into an upright position. Another take has been ethnographically documented on Easter Island. The people of Rapa-Nui lifted fallen carved heads using levers. They lifted the head slightly with log levers and propped it at that position with wedges or ropes, and repeated this until it was vertical. Excavations from the bluestone quarry in Wales found that stone wedges were used to extract the stones for the construction of Stonehenge. Even though cists, cairns, and other monuments were made from a collection of boulders and smaller rocks, that doesn't mean they didn't require extensive manpower. These archaeological structures usually provide extensive data on prehistoric cultures, especially if associated with grave goods and symbolism. They show how important a deceased individual was, and hint at the sort of collective event a burial and cairn construction may have entailed at the time. Many different cultures around the globe worked and carved artifacts out of rock, producing isolated or unique megaliths not too different from the iconic faces at Easter Island. Bada Valley on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi is home to more than 400 megalithic sculptures fashioned with humanoid, animalistic, or geometric features. A few of the humanoid menhirs even have names and stories in contemporary and local pantheons. In Mexico during the Bronze Age, the Olmec culture is credited with carving massive heads, the largest of which weighs up to approximately 50 tons. It's speculated they were made in the likeness of Olmec rulers. Similar to the pyramids and other monuments, megaliths required organized coordination among a large number of people. Despite this, early and flawed archaeological theories on linear development have postulated that monuments are a hallmark of civilizations, while megaliths are mysteries and archaic in nature. In Latin America, architectural practices followed by the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas utilized stone blocks that seamlessly fit together (although regularly nonuniform) to build walls, temples, pyramids, and fortresses. A notable example of megalithic construction is Tiwanaku, located almost 4,000 meters above sea level in Bolivia. The temple complex has impressive artefacts, including the monolithic Gate of the Sun. It is established that Egyptians and people in Micronesia were transporting megaliths and building materials by boat. The technology and proof of it are there, but now many researchers are using new technologies and novel approaches to better understand what exactly prompted people to move boulders and mountains in the first place. Author Bio: Andrew Califf is an archaeologist and anthropologist interested in how people interact with the natural world. He has covered environmental conservation and Indigenous rights stories and conducted archaeological topographic analysis research in remote regions.
Egypt Today
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Egyptian Amb., French Culture Min. participate in celebration of the publication of a book on Luxor Obelisk
The Luxor Obelisk CAIRO - 7 May 2025: Egypt's Ambassador to Paris Ambassador Alaa Youssef and French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati participated in a celebration held to mark the publication of a book titled "The Luxor Obelisk and Its Restoration." The celebration was attended by a group of prominent French figures involved in cultural and heritage affairs and a number of prominent French archaeologists. In her speech at the celebration, the French Minister of Culture expressed France's pride in the historical and cultural ties that unite it with Egypt, emphasizing that the Luxor Obelisk, which has graced the Place de la Concorde in Paris since 1836, is a living embodiment of the strength of these ties. The French Minister stated that the book explores the history of the obelisk, beginning with its donation by Muhammad Ali Pasha in 1830, through the historical events it witnessed since its transfer to Paris, as well as its most recent restoration phases. For his part, Ambassador Alaa Youssef pointed out that the Luxor Obelisk is a testament to the uniqueness of Egyptian-French relations, and that it continues to inspire Egyptologists in both countries. It has remained the focus of international attention since its placement in the Place de la Concorde, a point most recently evident during the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games last summer. The Egyptian Ambassador to Paris expressed his confidence that the publication of this book will contribute to deepening cultural and scientific ties between the two countries and strengthening bridges of communication between generations and civilizations, especially in light of the continuous development of Egyptian-French relations in various fields, which were recently culminated in the signing of an agreement to upgrade relations to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and President Emmanuel Macron during his recent visit to Egypt last month.
Daily Mail
23-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Scientist discovers 7 secret messages hidden on Paris' Egyptian Obelisk
For nearly 200 years, the centre of Paris has hosted a priceless artefact from Egyptian history, a stunning spectacle for all to behold. Located at Place de la Concorde in the city's eighth arrondissement, the Luxor Obelisk was made by the Egyptians more than 3,000 years ago. Carved from red granite, it was created under Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II (c. 1250 BC) and given to France in the 19th century. Until now, academics thought they had deciphered the hieroglyphs running the length of the monument, which is topped by gold-leafed pyramid cap added by the French in the 1990s. But according to an academic, the structure is still yielding Egyptian secrets. Dr Jean-Guillaume Olette-Pelletier, an Egyptologist at Paris-Sorbonne University, claims to have found seven secret messages on the obelisk. One offers a cryptic phrase 'Appease the ka-force of Amun' in reference to the ancient Egyptian god of the air. 'This phrase is there to remind us that men must constantly make offerings to the divinities in order to appease their sometimes destructive vital force,' said the expert. The obelisk in Paris is actually one of two known as the Obélisques de Louxor, each carved from a single piece of red granite over 3,000 years ago. While one remains in position outside of Egypt's Luxor Temple, the other was transported to Paris aboard a custom-built ship in the early 1830s. In 1836, it was erected by by King Louis-Phillipe in the centre of Place de la Concorde – the public square that hosted executions during the French Revolution in the 18th century. Both of the Luxor Obelisks feature hieroglyphic text carved in sunken relief on all four sides, spanning their impressive height. In the 19th century, French Egyptologist François Chabas produced a full translation of the Paris obelisk, which can be read here. But new analysis by Dr Olette-Pelletier reveals seven hidden messages never before discerned by modern scholars. During Covid lockdowns, he became the first specialist to access the top of the Paris obelisk since its installation at Place de la Concorde in 1836. He was also authorized to make use of scaffolding across the length of the structure that was put up for renovations prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Both feature hieroglyphic text carved in sunken relief on all four sides, spanning their impressive height. Pictured, the Paris obelisk What are the Luxor Obelisks? The Luxor Obelisks are two monuments from ancient Egypt separated by the Mediterranean. One remains in position outside of Egypt's Luxor Temple, while the other was transported to Paris aboard a custom-built ship in the early 1830s. Both feature hieroglyphic text carved in sunken relief on all four sides. Over several days, he was able to take measurements and make detailed analyses about the profound artistic patterns. Dr Olette-Pelletier is one of only six people worldwide who is able to read 'crypto-hieroglyphs'. These are secret texts inserted into the hieroglyphic inscriptions themselves – historically making them visible to a select group of people. 'I understood that the obelisk contained multiple hieroglyphic cryptography,' he told popular French magazine Sciences et Avenir. 'While some Egyptians could read hieroglyphs, only a certain elite were capable of understanding the hidden messages they could contain, considered a language of the gods.' The west face of the obelisk was designed to be seen only by nobles who were arriving by boats on the Nile when it was originally in Egypt. One scene depicting Ramses making an offering to the god Amun represents 'a true propaganda message of Ramses' absolute sovereignty'. Meanwhile, the east face – which was originally turned towards the desert – has subtle bull horns inside a headdress worn by Ramses II. 'From a hieroglyphic point of view, the bull horns form the word 'ka', which designates the vital force of the divinity,' the expert said. What the expert has discerned was 'beyond the grasp of any Egyptologist who knew how to read hieroglyphs', Sciences et Avenir reports. Excitingly, the twin monument in Egypt is not quite identical, so could similarly reveal hidden messages along its slightly taller height. It's unclear whether Dr Olette-Pelletier's analysis has included this obelisk too; MailOnline has contacted the academic for more information. All seven messages on the Paris obelisk will soon be revealed in a paper to be detailed in the Montpellier Egyptology journal ENIM. WHO WAS RAMSES II? Ramses II lived from 1279 BC to 1213 BC. The pharaoh was known to Egyptians as Userma'atre'setepenre, meaning 'keeper of Harmony and Balance, Strong in Right, Elect of Ra', according to the Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ramses II was the 19th Dynasty's third pharaoh, who reportedly declared a decisive victory at The Battle of Kadesh over the Hittites. Ramses II supposedly flaunted the result of this battle to elevate his reputation. However, the battle ended in somewhat of a tie, and was not exactly a win for either party. In fact, it resulted in the earliest known peace treaty, composed in 1258 BCE. Ramses II is commonly linked to the pharaoh depicted in the book of Exodus in the Bible. But there is no archaeological or historical evidence associating the two figures.
