Amazon Stonehenge

Detail of Cromlech of Calcoene
Amapá state, Brazil. The Amazon Stonehenge is located north of Calçoene, 390 kilometres (240 mi) from Macapá, the capital of Amapá state.[1][2]

Amazon Stonehenge or Calçoene megalithic observatory (also refeered to as AP-CA-18) is megalithic structure located in Amapa state, Brazil, near the city of Calçoene. It consists of 127 blocks of granite, each up to 4 meters tall, standing upright in a circle measuring over 30 meters in diameter at the bank of the Rego Grande river on a hilltop. Archaeologists believe that this site was built by indigenous peoples for astronomical, ceremonial, or burial purposes, and likely a combination. The function of this megalithic site is unknown, much like other sites such as Stonehenge, a much older site in Great Britain.

Discovery

The first reports of Amazon Stonehenge are from naturalist Emilio Goeldi in the late 19th century. Locals have called the site "Tropical Stonehenge" for some time. In 2005, archaeologists began excavation of the site after it was reported by a geologist during a socioeconomic study.

Findings

Though the stones have not been submitted to dating techniques, carbon-dating of pottery shreds has placed the site at 500 – 2000 years old. The origin of these granite blocks has yet to be studied as well. In certain Megalithic sites, such as Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, the blocks were moved to the site from some distance away. Archaeologists are not yet sure whether Amazon Stonehenge follows this pattern.

On the winter solstice of December 21, the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, the shadow of one of the blocks disappears when the sun is directly above it.[3] The rock seems to be placed at angle so that the shadow is possibly small throughout the day.[4] It is this block's alignment with the December solstice that leads archaeologists to believe the site was once a type of astronomical observatory. They believe the site was made by a sophisticated indigenous culture.[3] One of the stones has a circular hole carved into it. During the winter solstice, the sun shines directly though this hole onto another rock for an extended amount of time, supporting the idea that Amazon Stonehenge was used as an astronomical site. Additionally, scientists believe that some of the rocks have been placed at such an angle, so that their natural curve matches the path of the sun.

The granite stones that make up Amazon Stonehenge are rough and unworked. They appear to have been deliberately left this way to preserve the natural, possibly spiritual power of the stones. Some researchers believe the Amazon Stonehenge was a religious or ceremonial site.

During the excavations two large pits have been found, both approximately 1.5 – 2 meters deep and covered by large stone slabs. During excavation, shards of pottery, red clay, and ash from human remains were found. Three intact urns were found in a triangular formation at the bottom of one pit and more intact urns, as well as a few lids were found in the second. Remnants of cremated human remains have been found with these shards and in the urns, suggesting that these pits were either burial sites or that select human remains were buried here because they were significant. Shards of bowls and other pieces of pottery have been found in smaller pits near by. These bowls, lids, and urns have been found created in the shapes of animals and human-like figurines.[1][2][3]

Significance

Evidence has been found near Amazon Stonehenge and all over the Amazon to suggest that the indigenous people of the region lived in a complex societies that involved both agriculture and a close relationship with the natural environment around them. Because Amazon Stonehenge marks the Winter Solstice, many scientist believe that the site was a carefully constructed calendar used for agricultural purposes.

There are also several other megalithic sites in Brazil that follow the curves of the Rego Grande river. The fact that these Megalithic sites seem to follow such a pattern suggests that Amazon Stonehenge may have been used as either a ceremonial site or as a calendar and that its structure and cultural significance were shared amount different indiegnous communities in pre-Columbian Brazil.

Despite not knowing the exact use of Amazon Stonehenge, most scientist agree that it alludes to a pre-Columbian society that was much more complex that previously thought.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "'Amazon Stonehenge' found in Brazil". ABC News Online. 2006-05-14. Archived from the original on 18 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-13. Incorporates text from Agence France-Presse (AFP).
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Butler, Rhett (2006-05-14). "Amazon Stonehenge suggests advanced ancient rainforest culture". Mongabay.com. Archived from the original on 18 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-13.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Lehman, Stan (2006-06-27). "Another ‘Stonehenge’ discovered in Amazon: Centuries-old granite grouping may have served as observatory". MSNBC. Archived from the original on 12 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-13.
  4. ↑ "Calçoene megalithic observatory - Amazon Stonehenge". Wondermondo. Archived from the original on 17 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-07.

Further reading

Coordinates: 2°28′36″N 51°00′38″W / 2.47667°N 51.01056°W