Posted on 05/13/2006 12:19:52 AM PDT by Jedi Master Pikachu
Brazilian archaeologists have found an ancient stone structure in a remote corner of the Amazon that may cast new light on the region's past.
The site, thought to be an observatory or place of worship, pre-dates European colonisation and is said to suggest a sophisticated knowledge of astronomy.
Its appearance is being compared to the English site of Stonehenge.
It was traditionally thought that before European colonisation, the Amazon had no advanced societies.
Winter solstice
The archaeologists made the discovery in the state of Amapa, in the far north of Brazil.
A total of 127 large blocks of stone were found driven into the ground on top of a hill.
Stone structures in Amapa, Brazil The layout suggests a temple or an observatory
Well preserved and each weighing several tons, the stones were arranged upright and evenly spaced.
It is not yet known when the structure was built, but fragments of indigenous pottery found at the site are thought to be 2,000 years old.
What impressed researchers was the sophistication of the construction.
The stones appear to have been laid out to help pinpoint the winter solstice, when the sun is at its lowest in the sky.
It is thought the ancient people of the Amazon used the stars and phases of the moon to determine crop cycles.
Although the discovery at Amapa is being compared to Stonehenge, the ancient stone circle in southern England, the English site is considerably older.
It is thought to have been erected some time between 3000 and 1600 BC.
*****Well preserved and each weighing several tons, the stones were arranged upright and evenly spaced. *****
maybe God was playing with his dominoes... =P
Maybe... would He be upset if we tipped them over to see them fall?
For some reason, I saw the title of the thread and thought, "oh, Spinal Tap made a bossa nova album".
;-)
I'm assuming the Stones were dropped from a coconut tree.
That stone in the one photo looks like a "C". So possibly it was some kind of a spelling test or "large type" message--or The Village People might have plagarized a slightly earlier composed song. (just kidding).
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Carolyn
Brazilian Stonehenge PING
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'Amazon Stonehenge' found in Brazil
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1631806/posts
Oops, looks like you already knew...
This statement ought to be severely doubted.
Was it buried?The state of preservation is absolutely astounding:)
Interesting find! I wonder who made it.
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