Stonehenge Deciphered and We're Sure about That!

Photo: "David Ball - www.davidball.net" Image via Wikipedia

Every few years a piece comes out that reveals what the latest definitive is on Stonehenge: Cemetery, Observatory, Temple, Healing location, Place of Sacrifice.   Well, exhausted enough that even reading was too hard I succumbed to Smithsonian's VOD channel and chose Stonehenge Deciphered narrated by Carrie Fisher.  She did an excellent job narrating—just enough inflection and a clear voice.  The video was well produced. They did not, as I often find,tell me the same information over and over again for an hour. 


I do believe they got a sound bite from every expert on the subject in the United Kingdom.  And, there was startling information revealed about the "Blue Stones" in the central circle being from Wales and transported by raft from Wales around to the mouth of the Thames. Those stones were believed to have magical powers of healing possibly imbued by springs near their quarrying locale. Apparently people traveled from as far as the alps for their powers.


I underlined definitive above. I love it when we try to figure out what people were doing and believed centuries ago. Things I learned in school have been debunked so it seems we never really know the definitive truth. I also think about how our beliefs change over time, not just beliefs as in religion but also our understanding of facts, is fascinating.


Eventually Stonehenge fell out of its traditional use(s) (possibly due to a change in religious climate?). But the bluestone from Wales is still there in the circle. Healers, so designated by peculiar birth defects may also have been present in the times when it was known as a place of healing. Whether it was the rock, the location or healers it was a popular location and has drawn visitors for over 4,000 years now and apparently was attracting people before it the iconic circle of stones was constructed. There must be something there that pulled people to the location. 

Any thoughts?


It was a good piece of television that I can recommend.
I don't know that it is online as well as on the Smithsonian Channel Video on demand, but there are two links I can offer you:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/light-on-stonehenge.html

AND

http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/sn/show.do?show=133692.

AND, Speaking of definitive new information on Stonehenge: apparently there is a new definitive set of facts.

Related articles

Stonehenge mystery offered clue by Welsh burial chamber (guardian.co.uk)
Tomb of Stonehenge builder found? (gadling.com)
Tomb found at Stonehenge quarry (bbc.co.uk)
NEWS: More megalithic fairies - this time at Stonehenge! (heritageaction.wordpress.com)
Archaeologists are one step closer to unraveling the mysteries of Stonehenge [Archaeology] (io9.com)
Stonehenge Secret Uncovered? Ancient Site May Have Been Used For Sun Worship [Video] (inquisitr.com)

Visit Wales and the Dr. Who Franchise Tours

Image via WikipediaI have always wanted to go to Wales. Okay, I have wanted to go to Wales since the early 1990s after reading my first Sharon Kay Penman book. Then some friends did a narrow boat canal tour and loved it.  Recently my husband traveled there on business. He was only on the ground two days and in meetings for all of that or I would have gone.

And, I do love the accent. I would have a hard time determining how it is different from an English accent but it is—sweeter, more trilling.  Anyway, now I read on FlavorPill that there is a four-hour tour of the locales in Cardiff known from Dr. Who and the other shows in the franchise.

The tours are run by Brit Movie Tours.  They're listed on the official Visit Cardiff website and they conduct other entertainment venue tours throughout England as well, so they seem to be on the up and up. Here is their blurb, in part.

Prepare yourself for an intergalactic adventure as we take you on a tour of Doctor Who Cardiff Locations where much of the show has been filmed since its return in 2005. Image via WikipediaStarting with a short walking tour around the city centre you will then go on a bus journey around Cardiff to see where the rift cracked open, Amy Pond’s village, Rose Tyler’s workplace, sites from Doctor Who spin offs – The Sarah Jane Adventures and Torchwood, plus many other interesting Doctor Who locations and landmarks along the way. With the locations scattered around the Welsh capital the tour is the best way to see the Doctor Who Cardiff locations. http://britmovietours.com/bookings/doctor-who-tour-of-locations/

In London and other parts of England, the company offer additional Dr. Who tours as well as James Bond and Harry Potter tours.

I know when I am traveling with my husband and he is on business all day, I can go to shops and museums, but I welcome the company and safety of the other people in a tour. I know there will be someone to chat with and I won't wander into dodgy areas.

Related articles

• The Flavorpill Guide to Fictional Places You Can Visit In Real Life (leggotunglei808.wordpress.com)