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The Stonehenge Hoax – Station Stones

Conundrum 10 – Station Stones – extract from The Stonehenge Hoax Book

Was it an astronomical observatory?

The Problem

In recent years the idea of Stonehenge as an astronomical observation point has become very popular with the ‘new age’ cult that looks at the stones as a ‘magical’ monument rather than a practical, functional site as the archaeologists fail to identify the exact reason and purpose successfully was built. So these ‘ideas’ have flourished to fill the void created by the ‘experts’ as they stutter for explanations.  Within this new age, the theory is the Station stones’ role that seems to line up with more astrological occurrences than the leading site.

The Solution

The two Station Stone features found on the Stonehenge site are situated on the North West and South East side of the main monument within the ditched circle – both have individual moats surrounding them.  This can be seen clearly in the Station Stone in the North West, also known as WA3595 (North Mount), discovered in 1956 (Atkinson et al.,1956).  Where Atkinson observed that ‘a small gully running East-West appears to lie beneath the rubble and earth bank’.

This indicates that the gully was a connecting strip, linking the main henge moat to a smaller moat surrounding the North West Station Stone.  It wouldn’t be an unrealistic suggestion that the southern Station Stone was also connected to the main moat.  If we believe traditional archaeologists’ commonly held view that the moat surrounding the central monument at Stonehenge was constructed purely as a landscape feature, why would our ancestors connect the two smaller ditches to the main one?

The heel stone also has a ditch indicating its significance.  This ditch is almost bisecting the avenue ditch, which would have also been full of water.  These ditches are invisible today as they were filled in long ago when the water left the site – but if the Moat and channels were not for water but symbolic purposes, why were they left to fill with soil and disappear from view – it makes no sense unless they are water features that have dried up over the years as the water table has now fallen by 30 metres?

Hawley and Atkinson, both suggested that they were built at the same time “The ditches of the North and South Barrows are suggested as belonging to this phase (Phase 3b) purely on their resemblance to the Heel stone ditch, an observation made by Professor Atkinson(1978,78).” (Cleal et al., 1995,274).

The Stonehenge Hoax - Station Stones
Southern Station Stone Ditch – The Stonehenge Hoax – Station Stones

The North and South Station stones and the Heel stone ditches are of considerable depth 1 – 1.2m deep.  Symbolic ditches are needed only to cut the surface to meet their requirements.  These ditches are full of ‘silt’ or ‘marl’ in all cases.  Moreover, it is possible that the same clay liner was added to these features as the excavation reports various anomalies that are unexplained and what I see as evidence of water in the ditches.  “There were about 18 inches of dirty chalk upon the bottom… between this, and the humus is a layer of humus with flint single…  apart of a decayed horn pick and some flint chips were found on the bottom silt” Hawley (Cleal et al.,1995,278).

The Stonehenge Hoax - Station Stones
Stonehenge Moats including the Station Stones – The Stonehenge Hoax – Station Stones

In his 1979 – 80 (C91) excavation, Pitts also found this water deposit, where he observed “chalk intermixed with periglacial marl which covers all of the bottom and moat of the sides…. Natural silting of the greater part of the ditch is acceptable” – this indicates that this was left to silt over time and only filled when the Avenue fell into disuse and the original stones were moved.

At the end of the Neolithic Period, the groundwater had subsided to almost their present levels.  Since the great Ice Age melt, the large river that had existed at Stonehenge’s bottom for 5,000 years was gone.  The groundwater that once covered the land had moved to the surrounding seas and channels, flooding the island once called Doggerland and leaving it 30 metres under the sea.  The moat had dried up at Stonehenge, and consequently, the tools used to clean out the moat in the past (antler picks) were left where they broke in the ditch.  Sadly, archaeologists currently take these tools as the basis for their incorrect dating of the site, not when the monument was at the height of its power, but when it was last used as a monument to the dead.

The Station Stones (with mounds) seem to have been added later in the site’s development.  This can be seen as the introduction of the Station Stones would have obscured the Aubrey post holes; therefore, they must post-date the original Bluestone circle but predate the infilled moat, as they have moats of their own.  We currently don’t know whether the knowledge of the tides was no longer necessary or if the station posts held another particular purpose. 

The Stonehenge Hoax - Station Stones
Traditional View of the Station Stones – The Stonehenge Hoax – Station Stones

Modern theories use astroarchaeology alignments based on these posts to speculate on the reasons for their existence.  Unfortunately, only two of the four Station Stones have a mound and moats, which does not make sense if they are as crucial as these theorists believe.  Our ancestors-built round barrows as signposts, not burial mounds.  These markers are aligned to show where to go and, more importantly, how to get home.

If you lived in the countryside or became a fell-walker in the days before GPS and OS maps, you used to rely on points on the horizon for guidance.  A prehistoric person would have used the same simple principle to get from A to B without getting lost.  Initially, these features would have been on islands, as people used boats to transport themselves and trade.  Then, as the groundwater fell, they would have used barrows as markers on the horizon to walk from point to point.  We still see milestones today on the side of roads; barrows were the milestones for prehistoric societies.

If you follow the line from the centre of the site through the Northern Station Stone, you will go past no less than five long barrows, 15 round barrows, Casterley Camp, Knap Hill Camp, and the White Horse, finally arriving at Avebury.  This is not bad, for just 36.4 km of travel.  That’s one barrow every 500 metres; not even I could get lost with that marker frequency.  Mathematically, the chance of this number of barrows being in line over such a small distance is less than half of one per cent (0.05 %), or 2000 to 1 in layman’s terms.

The Southern Station Stone points the way to Old Sarum near Salisbury.  Although it is famous for being the site of the original Salisbury Cathedral, archaeologists have also found evidence of flint tools dating back to 3000 BC.  We believe that there is a clear indication that Old Sarum was first used in the Mesolithic Period when it was an island above the raised groundwater level and that (as in many cases) later sites were built upon the location of this original construction. 

The Stonehenge Hoax - Station Stones
Station Stones point to other Mesolithic Sites – The Stonehenge Hoax – Station Stones

The most interesting of all the original markers at Stonehenge must be the Heel Stone.  The Heel Stone is slightly right of centre in the Avenue and, like two of the Station Stones, it has its moat.  If we line ourselves up with the Heel Stone from the centre of Stonehenge, it aligns with Durrington Walls and Woodhenge.  These three places would have been not only essential neighbouring sites to Stonehenge but a gateway to other sites and trading places in the ancient world.  Next to each of the moated Station Stones, a gap was left in the Moat to allow people to cross by the stone in the direction it indicated.  This no doubt led the walker along a path, now lost to us 5,000 years later, via a system of barrows, to the desired location.

Unearth the Astonishing Secrets of Stonehenge (The Stonehenge Hoax)

Introduction

Video

Synopsys

Stonehenge, a timeless enigma etched in stone and earth, has stood as a formidable puzzle challenging the intellects of archaeologists and historians alike. Despite the myriad attempts, including books, TV programs, and academic conferences, the secrets of these ancient stones and their encircling ditches have proven elusive. Against this backdrop, we scrutinise the existing thirteen hypotheses, each presenting its narrative but collectively lacking a coherent thread.

In adopting the deductive reasoning akin to Sherlock Holmes, we endeavour to weave these disparate threads into a unified tapestry that not only unravels the mystery of Stonehenge but also shakes the foundations of established academic narratives. This intellectual journey may induce some discomfort as we challenge conventional perceptions and invite a reevaluation of our understanding of the past. Apologies are extended in advance for any cognitive dissonance, but the pursuit of truth and reason mandates an unfiltered presentation of the facts.

So, fasten your seatbelts for an expedition into the archaeological unknown.

As we navigate this intellectual rollercoaster, be prepared for a revelation that might reshape our understanding of Stonehenge and question the foundations of our historical narratives. The dawn of a new archaeological era awaits promising insights that could leave even the most curious minds astonished. As we delve into this intellectual rabbit hole, be ready for a revelation that could make Alice astonished. (The Stonehenge Hoax)

Robert John Langdon (2023) – (The Stonehenge Hoax)

The Journey

Langdon’s journey was marked by meticulous mapping and years of research, culminating in a hypothesis that would reshape our understanding of prehistoric Britain. He proposed that much of the British Isles had once been submerged in the aftermath of the last ice age, with these ancient sites strategically positioned along the ancient shorelines. His groundbreaking maps offered a fresh perspective, suggesting that Avebury had functioned as a bustling trading hub for our ancient ancestors. This audacious theory challenged the prevailing notion that prehistoric societies were isolated and disconnected, instead highlighting their sophistication in trade and commerce.

In the realm of historical discovery, the audacious thinkers, the mavericks who dare to question established narratives, propel our understanding forward. Robert John Langdon is undeniably one of these thinkers. With a deep passion for history and an unyielding commitment to his research, he has unearthed a hidden chapter in the story of Avebury that transcends the boundaries of time and offers fresh insights into our shared human history.

As Langdon’s trilogy, ‘The Stonehenge Enigma,’ continues to explore these groundbreaking theories, it beckons us to embark on a journey of discovery, to challenge our assumptions, and to embrace the possibility that the past is far more complex and interconnected than we ever imagined. With its ancient stones and enigmatic avenues, Avebury continues to whisper its secrets to those who dare to listen, inviting us to see history through a new lens—one illuminated by the audacious vision of Robert John Langdon.

(The Stonehenge Hoax)

The Book

The Stonehenge Hoax
The Great Stonehenge Hoax

Further Reading

For information about British Prehistory, visit www.prehistoric-britain.co.uk for the most extensive archaeology blogs and investigations collection, including modern LiDAR reports.  This site also includes extracts and articles from the Robert John Langdon Trilogy about Britain in the Prehistoric period, including titles such as The Stonehenge Enigma, Dawn of the Lost Civilisation and the ultimate proof of Post Glacial Flooding and the landscape we see today. (AI now Supports – Homo Superior)

Robert John Langdon has also created a YouTube web channel with over 100 investigations and video documentaries to support his classic trilogy (Prehistoric Britain). He has also released a collection of strange coincidences that he calls ‘13 Things that Don’t Make Sense in History’ and his recent discovery of a lost Stone Avenue at Avebury in Wiltshire called ‘Silbury Avenue – the Lost Stone Avenue’.

(AI now Supports – Homo Superior)

Langdon has also produced a series of ‘shorts’, which are extracts from his main body of books:

The Ancient Mariners

Stonehenge Built 8300 BCE

Old Sarum

Prehistoric Rivers

Dykes ditches and Earthworks

Echoes of Atlantis

Homo Superior

Other Blogs

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