Article ID: CBB001022014

The Mathematics in the Structures of Stonehenge (2011)

unapi

The development of ancient civilizations and their achievements in sciences such as mathematics and astronomy are well researched for script-using civilizations. On the basis of oral tradition and mnemonic artifacts illiterate ancient civilizations were able to attain an adequate level of knowledge. The Neolithic and Bronze Age earthworks and circles are such mnemonic artifacts. Explanatory models are given for the shape of the stone formations and the ditch of Stonehenge reflecting the circular and specific non-circular shapes of these structures. The basic mathematical concepts are Pythagorean triangles, thus adopting the construction procedures of the Neolithic circular ditches of Central Europe in the fifth Millennium bc and later earthworks and stone circles in Britain and Brittany. This knowledge was extended with new elliptical concepts. Approximations for the values of p and the square root of 2 are encoded in the henge. All constructions were performed using a standardized Babylonian metrology that shows a remarkable consistency and comprehensible development over some 14 centuries.

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Citation URI
https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB001022014/

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Authors & Contributors
Hoskin, Michael A.
Belmonte, Juan Antonio
Pimenta, Fernando
González-García, A. César
Teather, Anne
Zedda, Mauro
Concepts
Megalithic monuments
Astronomy
Archaeoastronomy
Tombs
Sun
Moon
Time Periods
Prehistory
Ancient
17th century
Places
Spain
France
Europe
Stonehenge (England)
Portugal
Great Britain
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