Equinox in arqueological sites

[control_zape]

Hi everyone,

I've searched this topic at the forum but I didn't found anything. (Perhaps my spelling or grammar is abysmally wrong). Anyway...

There is a tradition here in Mexico, since middle 80's, that consists in visiting arqueological sites (the older the better) at equinoxes (is this the correct plural?) in order to "catch energy" or "recharge your energy cells" or the usual yoga-new age saying that health is based in energy.

Independently of the nonsense of this particular believe, there is a very real problem: a lot of people believing this "recharge energy" practice visits these arqueological sites that, obviously, are not designed to receive so many people at the same time with the expecting result of the deterioration of the site. (Particullarly here in Mexico City in Teotihucan and Cuicuilco sites).

I was wondering if you people in other places of this crazy world have similar problems in equinox times.

 

[Luke T.]

Stonehenge in England. A photo from the Summer Solstice. They have similar gatherings during equinoxes.
http://www.warband.org/chronicles_2004.htm

 

[Luke T.]

In the U.S., there is a Stonehenge wannabe they call "Woodhenge" where people gather at the equinox.

Woodhenge is located at Cahokia Mounds Historical Site, not far from Collinsville in Illinois and within sight of the Arch. Cahokia Mounds is a place of many mysteries, some unsolved, others only partially understood.

Visitors gather at Woodhenge early on a Sunday morning in September to witness the fall equinox, when the sun rises in alignment with one of the posts. On the Sunday closest to an equinox or solstice, a Cahokia staff member greets visitors at sunrise and gives a short talk about Woodhenge and the now-vanished people who created it.

http://www.science4all.com/scienceMysteries.html

 

[Sloe_Bohemian]

In the U.S., there is a Stonehenge wannabe they call "Woodhenge" where people gather at the equinox.





http://www.science4all.com/scienceMysteries.html

I was about to say that sounded harmless... make-believe monument built from a renewable resource.

But it's near a site of pre-colombian mounds?
Do the woo's pose any threat to the site or do they construct their little totem at a safe distance off-site?

 

[EHocking]

I was about to say that sounded harmless... make-believe monument built from a renewable resource.

But it's near a site of pre-colombian mounds?
Do the woo's pose any threat to the site or do they construct their little totem at a safe distance off-site?

Don't know about the USAan woodhenge, but there are some pretty ancient ones in Europe. Here's a neolithic one in the UK

 

[sophia8]

Don't know about sites in the New World, but people who use megalithic sites in the UK for their seasonal gatherings are pretty respectful of the place and don't litter, or damage the stones. Generally, any real damage is done by idiots who don't know/care about these places.
For instance, last April, somebody sneaked into the Rollright Stone Circle and splashed yellow gloss paint over every single stone. This has destroyed much of the ancient lichen on the stones, and is still being cleaned off at great expense.

 

[control_zape]

thanks everyone for your answers, i was expecting (very narrow minded indeed) more posts of people living in this side of the atlantic. Suppose I've forgotten the great megalithic sites in Europe.

Is there an official position of the authorities responsible of the arqueological sites regarding this kind of equinox/solstice gatherings?

 

[Ashles]

Is there an official position of the authorities responsible of the arqueological sites regarding this kind of equinox/solstice gatherings?

Sorry, sorry, but as you've done it a couple of times I just have to mention it's "archaeological".
No 'q'.

 

[Donks]

Sorry, sorry, but as you've done it a couple of times I just have to mention it's "archaeological".
No 'q'.

Spelling Nazi. His Spanish is just showing a little bit. Archaeological=Arqueológico.

 

[Ashles]

I know. Shame overload.

Normally I hate it when people pick up on spelling or grammar on what is, let's remember, the internet.

If someone is speaking to me in real life I never interrupt them to say "No, it's 'Specific', not 'Pacific'" or "No, it is 'should have' not 'should of'".

Plus you only have to wait about 2 posts before everyone jumps over your own next spelling mistake.

Sorry control.

 

[AOK Tiger]

I find it frustrating that modern day woo’s jump all over primitive peoples attempt at REAL science.

The poor folk from Stonhenge (etc) days just tried to map the stars and equinoxes etc. They may have had primitive motivation (Gos etc) but their methodology was as scientific as they could get for their day !

Now modern day woos grab them up as some mystical lode stone to tie their ridiculous notions of wooism to !

BTW Ashles.. shame on you picking on the poor Mexican guys English.. you should see me type in Spanish !..

Risa hacia fuera ruidosamente !

 

[Goshawk]

I was about to say that sounded harmless... make-believe monument built from a renewable resource.

But it's near a site of pre-colombian mounds?
Do the woo's pose any threat to the site or do they construct their little totem at a safe distance off-site?

The Cahokia Woodhenge is not a make-believe Stonehenge wannabe perpetrated by woos afflicted with megalith-envy: it's a real pre-Columbian thing.

Cahokia Mounds is a State Historic Site; the "Woodhenge" feature itself was reconstructed by archaeologists in 1985, is part of the complex; and the solstice gatherings depicted in the science4all photo caption are not ersatz Druid ceremonies with silly chanting, but are actually brisk little 10-minute "park ranger talks" conducted by site staff members.

The next one is June 19.

Summer Solstice Sunrise Observance. 5:20 a.m. Join others to hear an explanation of the discovery, form and function of Woodhenge and observe the rising sun as it aligns with certain posts at the reconstructed sun calendar, ½ mile west of Monks Mound. Free.

If you go, and you're planning to climb the big mound (Monks Mound)--take a bottle of water.

 

[control_zape]

I know. Shame overload.

Normally I hate it when people pick up on spelling or grammar on what is, let's remember, the internet.

If someone is speaking to me in real life I never interrupt them to say "No, it's 'Specific', not 'Pacific'" or "No, it is 'should have' not 'should of'".

Plus you only have to wait about 2 posts before everyone jumps over your own next spelling mistake.

Sorry control.

No problem here. I welcome every oportunity to improve my spelling & grammar.

BTW your are very welcome to try your spanish and my spelling & grammar patience in this forum