The Geometry of Megalithic Man

Abstract

From one end of Britain to the other Megalithic Man has left us examples of geometric constructions of various designs. Originally set out on the ground by means of stakes, rope and measuring rods, the designs were rendered permanent by large stones placed along the outlines. The erection of the larger of these stones was an enormous task. It is certain that the engineers controlling the operations were working to pre-conceived plans which were set out with care and accuracy. Further, it appears that the unit of length used was the same from Land’s End to John o’ Groats. That this unit was 5·44 ft. I have shown in Ref. 1, and many more sites surveyed since writing that paper have amply confirmed statistically this value. Half of this, 2·72 ft., might be called the Megalithic Yard, but whether this or the Megalithic Fathom (5·44 ft.) was the length of the standard rod carried about the country it is not possible to say The important thing is that in a statistically significant number of cases in any group of circles the major diameter is approximately an integral number of fathoms. The group can be formed according to locality, type of circle, or size; the result is the same. We also find this dimension occurring in the distances of outliers from the construction centre and the distances between circles where there are two close together. The method of analysis used was that given by Broadbent in Ref. 5.

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