by New Year 2016
Very belated Happy New Year’s wishes to my dear readers! I hope you have all had a wonderful holiday season and that this new year will be a good one. So many in the world do need hope for safer and better lives. Will that ever change?
One of the New Year traditions, at least in our neighbourhood, is the receipt of new calendars from some of the local realtors. Some feature gorgeous local scenery while others feature exciting spots around the world to attract tourism. I fell in love with one of those latter images, of some standing stones called the megaliths of Callanish. Here is the text:
Its remote location on the Isle of Lewis, in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, means that the megalith of Callanish attracts fewer tourists than its counterpart Stonehenge; however, these standing stones are just as impressive and equally puzzling. Erected around 5,000 years ago, the stones form the shape of a Celtic cross. Some archaeologists suggest the site was used as a lunar observatory while others, of a less scientific bent, prefer the local folklore, which tells of giants petrified for their refusal to convert to Christianity. Perhaps because its origins are undetermined, the Callanish Stones have a mystical quality.
Of course there is much more information online, which I will be studying for as many of you know, I find it a fascinating subject and have only seen Stonehenge and Avebury.
Though I no longer put up wall calendars I do save certain images… this one is a keeper! I could not find the photographer’s name to give due credit.
January 12, 2016 in History, Rock Art & Archaeology by Marja-Leena
Happy New Year, Marja-Leena! I love this image too, and would love to see these stones in person. Maybe someday! All our best to you and yours!
Beth, thank you for the good wishes. I know we share a love for these ancient and mystical stones and places. Wish I could see them in person but I’m grateful to see so much online.
A lovely photo of the Callanish stones. It is extraordinary how we treasure these stark pointers to the past as elegantly minimal in their beauty. On the other hand, the more we find out, the more it seems that they were teaming with folks living around them. Perhaps crowded Stonehenge is much nearer to the truth of their original appearance.
Have you heard of the recent news about the Bronze Age discoveries in Cambridgeshire?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/35289953
Olga, as I recall you have visited some of the Scottish standing stones, and I know you love Avebury, which is particularly interesting being surrounded by a village. I’ve seen images of various stones scattered in tiny villages throughout the UK , seemingly ignored or taken for granted by locals but of interest to visitors. The Callanish ones are quite isolated.
Yes, I did see that news – interesting!
This is fascinating, Marja-leena. We are frequent visitors to Scotland but this is new to us. You might be interested in the many standing stones and other prehistoric sites to be found on Orkney. We visited there last summer and were amazed at their number and complexity. This included a wonderful stone circle and several ancient dwellings / settlements.
Margaret, if I recall correctly, I may have seen some of those Scottish standing stones on your blog. I recall seeing with great excitement a replica standing stone with rune symbols in a village museum near Bremen in northern Germany, even using that image in some of my work. There are several of those in the Nordic countries too. Such a fascinating addition to the stones…
I do like that photo, Marja-Leena. It makes me wonder about my connections to my Scots ancestors on my father’s side. Is there some secret communication going on between us? I’ve never had the desire to go to Scotland or Ireland but have preferred the Latin places. Maybe there is something in those Celtic places I need to know about.
Hattie, you are such a traveller that I think you should go on a tour to search out your Celtic roots!
Your picture reminded me of articles I’ve read about The Ness of Brogdar – older than Stonehenge. There’s so much we don’t know about our shared history.
I’ve also been seeing articles about the Ness of Brodgar – amazing and so far north! I’m somewhat more familiar with the images of the Ring of Brogdar and the Stones of Stenness. If I were a traveller, I think northern Scotland would be my next destination!
Have you read Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series of novels? Scotland’s standing stones, their magic and its history are major features. I just loved this series.
So, thanks for that link. How timely all this is after finishing the books. I’m going back to study more of Scotland’s stones online!
Takes me back to hikes in the Welsh hills years ago, finding small stumpy stone circles just about marked on the OS maps but not much known or celebrated.
Let’s meet up and go to Orkney one day, I’ve wanted to ever since reading Naomi Mitchison’s ‘Early in Orcadia’. So much to see…
Oh, how I would love to visit Orkney with you! I wish, I wish.
I looked for that book in our library with no luck. Must look elsewhere… thanks for the tip.
Did you see the new proposal about Stonehenge? http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/14231503.Once_a__majestic_roundhouse____architect_believes_she_s_solved_Stonehenge_s_mysterious_origin/
That is so very interesting and does make sense! Wood does not keep like stone does. Thanks for the link, Marly!