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snuggels
960 Posts |
 Posted - 18 Feb 2012 : 07:16:46
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While the history of the stone circles maybe interesting as a spectacle to view I think disappointing and does not come anywhere near the grandure of the Great pyramid in Egypt or Angkor Watt in Cambodia or Chichen Itza in Mexico.
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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2012 : 10:13:00
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Very interesting.
Why do you think so? How many Stone Circle sites have you visited in the Senegambia? What was your disapointment? |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2012 : 16:22:23
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| Now thats what I call a stone circle |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2012 : 16:29:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Momodou
Very interesting.
Why do you think so? How many Stone Circle sites have you visiter in the Senegambia? What was your disapointment?
Like all these type of monuments any where in the world one is in ore of how it was achived. But as a spectical not very impressive |
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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2012 : 16:55:53
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The following is from my site on the Stone circles in The Gambia and Senegal. You might not be impressed but others are and thats a matter of taste.
Stone circles of The Gambia
 Photo: Stone Circles of Wassu
Like the Pyramids and Temples of Ancient Egypt and the ruins of Zimbabwe, the stone circles of Senegal and the Gambia are impressive remains that have puzzled the few travellers who have examined them. Stone circles of many types are found throughout Europe and the Near East, though nowhere is there so large a concentration as found on the north bank of the river Gambia. It is fair to assume that the presence of such a large group of monuments of a similar type in a relatively localised setting implies the presence of a well established, dynamic culture.
The area involved covers some 15,000 square miles between the Saloum and Gambia Rivers. Here there are hundreds of circles containing many curious features and in particular the unique V or Lyre stones. The commonest shape is round like a pillar with a flat top. Others are square; some taper upwards. There are small stones with a cup-shaped hollow on top. Others have a ball cut in the round top of the stone. There is a recumbent stone shaped like a pillow.
 Photo: The stone circles at Kerr Batch
The Circles are composed of standing stones between ten and twenty four in any particular circle. One of the striking feature is that almost all the stones forming a given circle are of the same height and size. Their height above the ground varying between two hundred and forty five (245cm) centimetres and sixty centimetres (60cm). The diameter is from thirty centimetres (30cm) to one hundred centimetres (100cm).
The largest stones which are at N'jai Kunda must weigh about ten tons each. They were brought down a steep hillside and their transportation on rollers or on hammocks must have presented formidable difficulties and have required a considerable labour force.
As a results of Laboratory tests at the University of Dakar, the date of the sample was found to be from 750 A.D plus or minus 110 years.
The stones were cut out of laterite (" a cementation of ferruginous sandstone ") that occurs in large outcrops in this region. It is a feature of this stone that it hardens upon exposure to the air, and that prior to such exposure it is relatively easy to quarry.
Where several circles are found on the same site the exterior stones form a continues line as at Wassu. Clearly there is much work to be done in carefully surveying these extensive monuments, both in precisely locating them on maps and measuring them in detail.
Wassu and Kerr Batch stone circles both in CRD in The Gambia and two others Sine Ngayčne and Wanar in Senegal are now inscribed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO. It is The World Heritage Committee sitting at its 30th Session in Vilnius, Lithuania, that approved the inscription of the Stone Circles of the Senegambia in the World Heritage List.
 .."the circles are not so randomly laid out as might appear. I would need a lot of convincing that the underlying geometry is pure chance.
Investigation suggested the following features. Alignment AC touching the northernmost stones of circles I, II, III and VI. Alignments AF and BG touching circles II, VIII and IX on their southern and northern edges respectively, and AF touches the northern side only of I. AF and BG are parallel. AF and AC meet at the same stone in circle I. An alignment through the eastern edges of circles VIII and VII extends northerly to C and cuts BG in the southwest at D and AF at E. Both D and E are rightangles. Alignment BG not only touches the northern edges of II, VIII and IX but also the end stones of curved lines east of IX and VIII and the southwest stone of the straight row between circles IV and V. Taking this last point as J, and producing a line from there to pass between the two stone outliers between circles VI and VII to cut EC at H, a Pythagorean triangle JHD is formed. The direction of JH is also indicated by another stone next to the one at J. Supporting structure for this geometry might possibly exist in that a line from the stone at B in circle II produced through the extreme northeast stone of the straight row and through the Cup stone and Lyre stone also meets EC at H. Alignments to opposing edges of circles
VI and VII cross at the southern stone of the two outliers which is touched by JH. I do not suggest that this is the full extent of the implied geometry.
I'm sorry that all that is a bit indigestible, but space forces me to compress the description of the diagram presented. But parallel lines, right angles, edge alignments affecting up to half the circles of the group, and 3-4-5 triangles do not occur by chance in a group of 8 circles in my opinion. And when clearly constructed stone rows play important roles in such implied geometric schemes, it is my view that intention cannot be doubted. To the question `But why would they do it?' I can only say that I can't explain the mesh of lines at Nasca either, or the Bolivian lines, or the Dartmoor stone rows, and so on!"
This video is my own home made.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2012 : 05:53:14
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| As I said not as impressive or a spectical as other such monuments around the world But each to thier own Not a problem |
Edited by - snuggels on 19 Feb 2012 06:29:21 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2012 : 07:38:09
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Snuggel! I think its about heritage and story behind them? Don't play foul on our national heritage please? Each heritage with its own value; as gifted and through inheritance! |
Edited by - kobo on 19 Feb 2012 07:39:35 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2012 : 12:12:29
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"Stone circles of many types are found throughout Europe and the Near East, though nowhere is there so large a concentration as found on the north bank of the river Gambia." This might not be impressive for Snuggels but he/she can't deny that fact.
Related Bantaba Topics:
Stone Circles of Senegambia -> World Heritage
You wana go to Gambia? |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2012 : 13:15:07
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OK Kobo, you appear to be angry with snuggles for ,in your view,knocking your heritage ,that was not his intention I am sure I took snuggles to mean that the circles had not been marketed as a tourist opportunity for visits and the knock on effect that that would have for local enterprises,hotels,lodges, cafes, souvenirs, visits to local villages, carvings of the circles in wood,baskets to carry your treasures back to the main tourist areas where perhaps you are staying,expansion of opportunities by the GTA etc.All countries have their heritage and market the opportunities that it provides in a different way.
quote:
Originally posted by kobo
Snuggel! I think its about heritage and story behind them? Don't play foul on our national heritage please? Each heritage with its own value; as gifted and through inheritance!
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2012 : 13:26:13
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Im not knocking anyones heritage The fact is some sites are imppressive and some are not Example in the UK The stone circle at Avesbury in circumference I think the biggest in Europe Is not as imppressive as the Famouse Stone Henge as shown in toubabs video above
Stone Henge attracts 1000,s apon 1000,s of visitors a year especialy at Equinox which Avesbury dosnt match Why because its not so impessive to the majority of people Simple as that
Another example for me the Mayan Pyramid at Chichen Itza here in Mexico is not as impressive as the Great Pyramid in Egypt
Im sure Bantaba members have their own favorits
For me from all the places I have been to thus far the most impressive place was the trip down the river Nile 10 out of 10 wow factor
Again its not knocking anyones heritage
Come on guys tell us what your favorits are ? |
Edited by - snuggels on 19 Feb 2012 13:48:38 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2012 : 21:12:13
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Its thought provoking and just to bring on more interesting thoughts? I must admit that Stone Circles and Stone Henge are mere boring stones; which doesn't impress me but longing for a visit to the Great Pyramids (amongst other wonders of world); mysterious places to explore great architecture and ancient civilizations!
Momodou point out some very important "FACTS ABOUT STONE CIRCLES IN GAMBIA" and accredited as "WORLD HERITAGE"; which is cool!
Snuggel is the globe trotter and lucky to see many wonderful things; especially Egypt; being cradle of civilisation with its Pyramids "or Angkor Watt in Cambodia or Chichen Itza in Mexico"
RELATED PHOTOS;
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Edited by - kobo on 19 Feb 2012 21:19:49 |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2012 : 22:06:40
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Kobo
" I must admit that Stone Circles and Stone Henge are mere boring stones; which doesn't impress me "
Exactly my point Its not critisizing the heritage Be it in Gambia or England or any where else Some places impress the individule some dont
"Momodou point out some very important "FACTS ABOUT STONE CIRCLES IN GAMBIA" and accredited as "WORLD HERITAGE"; which is cool!"
I agree Yes there are many places in Australia Asia England America etc etc which I have seen But the true accolade is nominated as one of the wonders of the world
If there is one thing to do befor you die is yes go to Egypt and take a trip down the river Nile For me absolutely mind blowing |
Edited by - snuggels on 19 Feb 2012 22:24:30 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2012 : 04:52:55
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Thanks for everyone's contribution as we have learn't some interesting things and gain more knowledge why Gambia's Stone Circles became historical significance, an exemplar and glaring monuments of human ingenuity; amongst others
MORE KNOWLEDGE TO GAIN FROM BBC NEWS: Achill-henge: A monument that divides Ireland |
Edited by - kobo on 20 Feb 2012 06:20:03 |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2012 : 10:27:06
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Kobo and thank you for your contrubution and clarifying that actualy you are of a like mind as me and dont find stone circles in the UK or indeed Gambia that interesting
Its not about knocking anyones heritage
There are more historical places of interest
SO COME ON GUYS WHATS YOURS ? |
Edited by - snuggels on 20 Feb 2012 10:32:33 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2012 : 10:35:11
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Have been very lucky to visit many places in India; Taj Mahal, Indian Parliament and even sat on Prime Ministers seat, had nice reception and tea there, Ghandhi's Ahmedebad, prominent historical places in Jaipur, Bombay or Mahrasta State etc. Love the food and enjoy couple of months there! |
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