Haunted Spaces, Sacred Places: A Field Guide to Stone Circles, Crop Circles, Ancient Tombs, and Supernatural Landscapes
224
Haunted Spaces, Sacred Places: A Field Guide to Stone Circles, Crop Circles, Ancient Tombs, and Supernatural Landscapes
224eBook
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Overview
In Haunted Spaces, Sacred Places, historian Brian Haughton takes readers on a revealing tour of ancient landmarks that are rich in mystery and unexplained phenomena. Organized by region, this book takes readers from the mysterious megaliths of Britain and Ireland to the haunted tombs of the Etruscans, the Pagan origins of Germany's Aachen Cathedral, the ancient Native American city of Cahokia, the enigmatic Cambodian Temple of Angkor Wat, and the sacred Aboriginal rock formation of Uluru.
In Haunted Spaces, Sacred Places you will discover:
- The history of ancient sites such as Stonehenge, Chartres Cathedral, Delphi, Cuzco, and the Ohio Serpent Mound.
- The relationship between ancient Native American sites and unexpected phenomena in Colorado’s San Luis Valley.
- The truth behind the legends of the mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in China, home of the Terracotta Warriors.
- The prevalence of modern encounters with ghosts, UFOs, spook lights, Bigfoot, and phantom dogs at ancient sacred places.
With more than 25 photographs and illustrations, this is the ideal reference work for those interested in the connections between ancient places, folklore, and unexplained phenomena.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781601639707 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Red Wheel/Weiser |
| Publication date: | 04/17/2020 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 224 |
| Sales rank: | 627,898 |
| File size: | 3 MB |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
Newgrange and the Monuments of the Boyne (Ireland)
Brú na Bóinne ("Palace on the Boyne") is an important area of Neolithic chamber tombs, standing stones, henges, and other prehistoric enclosures located next to a loop in the River Boyne, County Meath, just more than 30 miles north of Dublin, Ireland. It is surely no coincidence that the archaeological landscape of Brú na Bóinne is situated on the rich fertile soil of the valley of the Boyne, in close proximity to the Irish Sea, in what is the most accessible part of Ireland. The central feature of this vast ritual landscape is a cemetery containing around 40 passage graves. A passage grave is a tomb, usually dating to the Neolithic period (c. 4000–c2200 BC) in which the burial chamber is reached along a low passage. The major monuments within the Brú na Bóinne complex are the passage graves of Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth, of which Newgrange is perhaps the best known and most impressive.
One of the greatest architectural achievements of prehistory, the vast Neolithic tomb/temple of Newgrange is one of the earliest roofed buildings in the world. Newgrange was probably built around 3200 BC, and consists of a passage running for 62 feet and a 20- foot-high chamber with a corbelled roof, constructed of large stone slabs without mortar. The passage and chamber are covered by a huge stone and turf mound about 262 feet in diameter and around 44 feet high, surrounded at its base by 97 large stones, known as kerbstones, some of which are elaborately ornamented with megalithic art. On top of the kerbstones is a high wall of white quartz. The large slab that now stands against the wall outside the passage entrance was originally used to block the passage when construction of the monument was complete. The passageway, which covers only a third of the total length of the mound, is lined with roughly hewn stone slabs and leads to a cross-shaped chamber with a magnificant steep corbelled roof. The recesses in the cruciform chamber are decorated with spirals and each contains a massive stone basin, two of which are carved from sandstone and one from granite.
Archaeologists believe these basins once held cremated human remains. The Neolithic builders who constructed the chambers took precautions to ensure that the inside of the structure remained completely dry. Sand, brought 10 miles from the shore close to the mouth of the Boyne, and a putty-like clay were packed into the joints between the roof stones. Additionally, the builders cut grooves into the roof blocks to channel rainwater away and prevent it from pouring into the passageway. Such precautions have implications for the function of Newgrange. If the monument was designed purely as a place to store the bones of the dead, there would surely be no need for these elaborate procedures to keep the remains dry.
Outside the base of the Newgrange mound is a ring of 12 (out of an original estimated 35 to 38) large standing stones, which represent the final building stage at the site. The circle was erected around 2000 BC, long after after the great passage tomb had gone out of use, although its presence shows that the area itself still retained some importance for the local population, perhaps connected with astronomy or ancestor worship.
Although there have been various investigations into Newgrange over the years, it was not until 1962 that the first major excavations at the site took place, under Professor Michael J. O'Kelly from the department of archaeology at University College, Cork. During excavations from 1962 to 1975, the massive passage grave underwent extensive restoration, including the rebuilding of the supposedly original facade of sparkling white quartz using a vertical steel reinforced concrete wall. The original white quartz found at Newgrange was not local to the area; it had come from the Wicklow Mountains, 50 miles away, and was probably brought down the River Boyne by boat. O'Kelly's restoration, however, has not been without its critics, who remain unconvinced that Neolithic builders had the technology to fix a retaining wall at such an angle as exists in the reconstruction. Some archaeologists believe that the reconstructed Newgrange represents O'Kelly's 20th-century idea of how the original monument ought to have appeared.
The passage graves of Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth are justly celebrated for their wealth of megalithic (c. 4500–1500 BC) rock art. At Newgrange several of the stones inside and outside the monument are decorated with spiral patterns, cup and ring marks, serpentiforms, circles, dot-in-circles, chevrons, lozenges, radials or star shapes, parallellines, and comb-devices. For some as yet unknown reason, a number of these stones are carved on their hidden sides so as not to be visible to anyone in the tomb.
The most spectacular piece of megalithic art at Newgrange is on the superb slab lying outside the entrance to the tomb. This recumbent megalith is profusely decorated with lozenge motifs and one of the few known examples of a triple spiral, the other two examples being inside the monument. Such motifs are found on stones in other passage tombs on the Isle of Man and the island of Anglesey in North Wales. Although these motifs were also used in later Celtic art, it is not known what they represent, though perhaps they recorded astronomical and cosmological observations.
One major aspect of the Newgrange monument that is often disputed is its primary function. Excavations inside the chambers revealed relatively few archaeological finds, probably because the majority had been removed in the centuries that the site remained open, from 1699 until it was examined by O'Kelly in 1962. The burials discovered consisted of two inhumations and at least three cremated bodies, all of which were found close to the huge stone basins, which, as has been mentioned, seem to have been used for holding the bones of the dead. Archaeological finds inside the monument have not been spectacular, though a few gold objects have been found, including two gold torcs (a piece of jewelry worn around the neck like a collar), a gold chain, two rings, a large phallus-like stone, a few pendants and beads, a bone chisel, and several bone pins. The lack of pottery finds at Newgrange is typical for passage grave cemeteries, which seem to have been places reserved for certain types of ritualistic activity involving a limited number of people.
The entrance to the Newgrange passage tomb consists of a doorway composed of two standing stones and a horizontal lintel. Above the doorway is an aperture known as the "roof box" or "light box." Every year, shortly after 9 a.m. on the morning of the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, the sun begins its ascent across the Boyne Valley over a hill known locally as Red Mountain, the name possibly originating from the color of the sunrise on this day. The newly risen sun then sends a shaft of sunlight directly through the Newgrange light box, which penetrates down the passageway as a narrow beam of light illuminating the central chamber at the back of the tomb. After just 17 minutes the ray of light narrows and the chamber is once more left in darkness. This spectacular event was not rediscovered until 1967 by professor Michael J. O'Kelly, though it had been known about in local folklore before that time. In fact the monument was known locally as Uaimh na Gréine (the "Cave of the Sun"). The Newgrange light box reveals in spectacular fashion the knowledge of surveying and basic astronomy possessed by the Neolithic inhabitants of the area. It also illustrates that, for the people who aligned their monument with the Winter Solstice, the sun must have formed an important part of their religious beliefs.
Recent research into the acoustic properties of ancient monuments carried out by two separate teams, the International Consciousness Research Laboratories (ICRL), and Aaron Watson, an archaeologist, and David Keating, an acoustic expert, found that Newgrange, along with other Neolithic chamber tombs, possessed the ability to amplify and alter sound. The researchers found that chanting, singing, and drumming inside these structures produced reverberating echoes that may have been utilized as part of ritual activity taking place in the monuments. The researchers were surprised to find that, although the tombs were of many different sizes, their resonant frequencies were very similar. An intriguing idea mentioned in Paul Devereux's Stone Age Soundtracks is that, if the blocking slab at the entrance to Newgrange was closed during rituals, the sounds created within would have been intensified. When these mysterious sounds escaped through the roof box they could have had a powerful psychological and physiological effect on those gathered outside, who perhaps interpreted them as the voices of spiritsor gods.
There may also have been a visual side to these acoustic effects. Experiments at Princeton University in a replica of the Newgrange passage revealed that, if the chamber was smoky or misty, standing sound waves could be seen as they vibrated particles in the air. Perhaps this visual effect explains the zigzag, spiral, and concentric ring markings engraved on the stones at sites such as Newgrange. Although the research teams do not believe that monuments such as Newgrange were designed with acoustic purposes in mind, it certainly seems possible that Neolithic peoples discovered the effects and utilized them in their religious ceremonies.
Located just more than half a mile northwest of Newgrange and 1.2 miles west of Dowth, the great mound at Knowth was, like Newgrange, constructed about 3200 BC. There is evidence for even earlier activity on the site of the monument dating back to 4000 BC, in the form of the remains of a large wooden house. Excavation at Knowth began in the 1960s, overseen by George Eogan, currently director of the Knowth Research Project and professor emeritus of archaeology at the University College, Dublin, and Helen Roche. Knowth is the largest of the passage graves within the Brú na Bóinne ritual complex, and is at the center of its own miniature ritual complex, surrounded by 18 smaller satellite tombs. The mound at Knowth covers roughly a hectare, and is encircled by 127 kerbstones. It was constructed over two separate passageways, located on opposite sides of the mound. The western passage is 112 feet long and the eastern passage is 131 feet long, terminating in a cruciform chamber. As with the Newgrange passage grave, the three recesses in this chamber contained basin stones, in which the cremated remains of the dead were probably placed. Among the most important finds from excavations at Knowth are pottery, antler and bone pins, stone pendants and beads, a stone phallus, and an exquisite ceremonial flint mace head. After the passage tomb at Knowth had fallen into disuse a timber circle, probably a wooden henge, was constructed near the entrance to its eastern passage. Archaeological evidence in the form of a large number of votive offerings suggests that this area was used for ritual activity. This small wooden circle has now been reconstructed in its original position.
Knowth is best known for its megalithic art. In fact, the Knowth complex has the highest concentration of megalithic art in Europe. Around 250 decorated slabs have been discovered so far, from the main tomb and 12 of its satellites. Apart from the well-known passage grave motifs of spirals, lozenges, zigzags, and serpentiforms, there are also more rare designs including crescent shapes and rays. Generally, there is no consensus as to the meanings of these designs, though it is thought that the rayed design on Kerbstone 15 may represent a sundial or a prehistoric lunar calendar. The decoration on one of the megaliths inside Knowth has recently been touted by astronomer Dr. Philip Stooke of the University of Western Ontario (Canada), as the world's first map of the moon. But looking at the series of arcs carved into the stone it makes an unconvincing moon map. Based on the decoration of this stone and other motifs at Knowth, there have been claims that that the builders of this monument had unparalleled knowledge of the complicated movements of the moon, enabling them to predict eclipses and other astronomical events. In the opinion of Dr. Philip Stooke, speaking to BBC News Online, in April 1999, "They knew a great deal about the motion of the Moon. They were not primitive at all." I think Mike Pitts sums up ideas such as this succinctly when he writes in Hengeworld that "without science like mine, runs the clear subtext, these guys were savages."
Dowth is roughly the same size and was built around the same period as Newgrange and Knowth, though, because it has not been properly excavated, considerably less is known about it than its two more famous cousins. However, full-scale excavations at the site got underway in 1998 and are still ongoing. Though the huge mound at Dowth was badly damaged as a result of investigations in 1847 and 48 (though it had probably been pillaged by Vikings long before that), it is still an impressive monument. It has a diameter of around 280 feet and a height of 44 feet, and covers three fifths of a hectare. The mound is ringed by 115 kerbstones, some of which are decorated, and contains two west-facing chambers. The northern passage ("Dowth North") runs for 27 feet and leads to a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof about 10 feet high. The mound's southern passage ("Dowth South") is much shorter at 11 feet, and leads to a circular chamber about 15 feet in diameter. Many of the megaliths in the passage and chambers are decorated with spirals, chevrons, lozenges and rayed circles, and sun wheel or flower motifs. It has been noted that on the evening of the Winter Solstice, the rays of the sun illuminate the passage of Dowth South, including three decorated stones, one of which contains the possible sun wheel motif. The majority of researchers believe this was intentional on behalf of the builders of the monument.
There seems to be no doubt that the sacred nature of at least two of these three passage graves and their immediate surroundings continued long after the monuments themselves ceased to be used. At Newgrange, various early Iron Age (c. seventh century BC) and Roman precious items, including gold coins, finger rings, beads, two gold pendants, and two brooches, have been discovered at the monument. Considering that some of the objects were in mint condition and that the Romans never invaded Ireland, many of these items must have been votive offerings, probably made by Romans or Romano-British visitors from Britain; perhaps they were ancient pilgrims venerating an already- 3,000-year-old religious monument. Knowth came back into use again as a burial site in the Iron Age. There are 35 mostly female burials from the site from this period; 31 of these burials are in pits, and four in cists. They date from 190 BC to AD 250. One particularly interesting grave contained two decapitated males buried with gaming pieces, bone dice, a few bronze rings, and a pegged board game. One theory about the demise of these men is that they were executed for cheating at the game. Although the continued sacredness of Dowth is not attested to, mainly due to the fact that the site has not been properly excavated, there is evidence of its use long after the Neolithic period. At the entrance to the passage of the cruciform tomb is a souterrain dating to the first few centuries AD, with a 70-foot-long passageway leading to a series of chambers with a beehive chamber at either end. It is believed that these underground structures were used as places of refuge and/or as storage areas.
In 1993, due to their significant cultural and historical importance, Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth were designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). The monuments now attract in excess of 200,000 visitors per year, all of which come on guided tours from the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, as there is no longer direct access to the site. For safety reasons, it is not possible to visit Dowth, though it can be viewed from the road. Anyone wanting to visit around December 21st to witness the magnificent Midwinter Solstice may, however, be in for a long wait. In 2006 there were around 27,485 applications to enter the tomb at this time. Consequently, admission to the Newgrange tomb chamber for the Winter Solstice sunrise is by lottery. To enter, it is necessary to fill out an application form, available at the reception desk in the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre. In late September, 50 names are drawn — 10 for each morning the tomb is illuminated. Two places in the chamber are then given to each of the lucky people whose names are drawn.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Haunted Spaces, Sacred Places"
by .
Copyright © 2008 Brian Haughton.
Excerpted by permission of Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC.
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Table of Contents
Title Page,
Copyright Page,
Dedication,
Acknowledgments,
Introduction,
Chapter 1 - Newgrange and the Monuments of the Boyne (Ireland),
Chapter 2 - Stonehenge: Prehistory and Legend (England),
Chapter 3 - The Sacred Megaliths of the Preseli Hills (Wales),
Chapter 4 - Maes Howe (Scotland),
Chapter 5 - Avebury Ritual Landscape (England),
Chapter 6 - The Rollright Stones and Their Legends (England),
Chapter 7 - The Sacred Hill of Tara (Ireland),
Chapter 8 - Glastonbury: A Confusion of Legends (England),
Chapter 9 - The Sunken Land of Cardigan Bay: A Welsh Atlantis? (Wales),
Chapter 10 - Ancient Dartmoor and Its Legends (England),
Chapter 11 - The Tower of London (England),
Chapter 12 - The Stone Alignments of Carnac (France),
Chapter 13 - Chartres Cathedral (France),
Chapter 14 - The Sacred Town of Aachen (Germany),
Chapter 15 - The Mysterious Etruscans and the Labyrinth of Porsena (Italy),
Chapter 16 - The Hypogeum Funerary Complex of Malta (Malta),
Chapter 17 - The Temple of Olympian Zeus (Greece),
Chapter 18 - The Oracle at Delphi (Greece),
Chapter 19 - The Mysteries of Davelis' Cave (Greece),
Chapter 20 - Axum: The Ark of the Covenant and the Queen of Sheba (Ethiopia),
Chapter 21 - Mohenjo Daro (Pakistan),
Chapter 22 - The Riddle of the Chinese Pyramids (China),
Chapter 23 - The Mausoleum of China's First Emperor (China),
Chapter 24 - Angkor Wat (Cambodia),
Chapter 25 - Ayers Rock: Uluru and the Dreamtime (Australia),
Chapter 26 - Cahokia (United States),
Chapter 27 - Ohio Serpent Mound (United States),
Chapter 28 - The Bighorn Medicine Wheel (United States),
Chapter 29 - Mount Shasta: Creator of Legends (United States),
Chapter 30 - Legends of the San Luis Valley (United States),
Chapter 31 - The Mysteries of Cuzco: Navel of the Incan World (Peru),
Chapter 32 - Lake Titicaca (Peru),
Bíblíography,
About the Author,