Ö÷²¥´óÐã

Ancient and Archaeology  permalink

Avebury, Astronomy, and Seven

• Message 1. 

  Posted by J Jacobs (U9505276) on Saturday, 23rd February 2008

  Avebury is located at the latitude (360/7 = 51.42857) with sufficient precision to be impressive, at least given the era. The culture building its greatest monuments at the latitude equaling one-seventh of circumference might consider the number seven special thereafter, I suppose, even after the civilization becomes lost history, but I'll leave that to the linguists. I'm more focused on the astronomy required of a culture that would do that with such precision, and, of course, why.
  
  The astronomers out there probably have leapt ahead, if you really know your fractions and decimals, and noted, "Lunar orbit is inclined 360/70." If so, good eye! "Is this somehow related to the latitude choice, assuming intentionality for now?" or, simply asked, "Was Avebury an observatory?" Quick next question, "Can spatial analysis test that hypothetical?"
  
  Arc distance between Avebury to Silbury Hill presents the days per lunar anomalistic period value, 360/27,554. West Kennet Long Barrow and East Kennet Long Barrow accurately presents the value of days per lunar orbit, 360/27,322, so this arc distance equals 1/1,000 of mean daily lunar motion.
  
  That's the teasers. The article and the calculator tools (read new toys) are here:
  
  
  Oh, for you lucky Irish, this tidbit; from Avebury to Tara, the bearing is one-seventh of circumference, 360/7 from the pole. Just lucky coincidence? Check the long barrow bearings too. Also from the domain above, the Heel Stone azimuth is precisely one-seventh! Luck? Coincidence? You'll decide, I'm sure, as "Yee counts your lucky stars."

  Link to this forum: Avebury, Astronomy, and Seven

  Report message1

• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by cloudyj (U1773646) on Monday, 25th February 2008

  The culture building its greatest monuments at the latitude equaling one-seventh of circumference might consider the number seven special thereafter, I suppose, even after the civilization becomes lost history, but I'll leave that to the linguists. I'm more focused on the astronomy required of a culture that would do that with such precision, and, of course, why. 
  
  Why did the very same culture also build huge numbers of monuments NOT at this latitude? Were they practice henges unsuitable for the perfect location?
  
  Arc distance between Avebury to Silbury Hill presents the days per lunar anomalistic period value, 360/27,554. West Kennet Long Barrow and East Kennet Long Barrow accurately presents the value of days per lunar orbit, 360/27,322, so this arc distance equals 1/1,000 of mean daily lunar motion. 
  
  Coincidence. It's easy to pick a couple of numbers which do work and ignore those which don't. If this theory is correct, it'll habve to explain more than three distances from the possible thousands.

  Link to this forum: Avebury, Astronomy, and Seven

  Report message2

• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by Anglo-Norman (U1965016) on Wednesday, 27th February 2008

  Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:47 GMT, in reply to cloudyj in message 2
  
  Were they practice henges unsuitable for the perfect location? 
  
  If only they'd had computer modelling, we'd be short of a fair few prehistoric monuments...
  
  Reminds me of the stone circles in the 'Discworld' novels, used as computers. Apparently there are so many about because it's always easier to build a new one than upgrade!

  Link to this forum: Avebury, Astronomy, and Seven

  Report message3

Back to top