What do the Callanish Stones mean?
Callanish continues to work its magic. The legends of the Outer Hebrides include tales of Callanish, among them: The pillars are giants turned to stone as they plotted to protect Lewis from a new religion called Christianity.
Why are the Callanish Stones important?
The Calanais Standing Stones are an extraordinary cross-shaped setting of stones erected 5,000 years ago. They predate England’s famous Stonehenge monument, and were an important place for ritual activity for at least 2,000 years.
What are the Callanish Stones made of?
Lewisian Gneiss
About. The Callanish Stones site is in the care of Historic Scotland. It is one of the most complete stone circles in Europe. The stones are made of Lewisian Gneiss which is one of the oldest rocks in Britain and dates back 3000 million years.
Can you touch Callanish Stones?
Please remember that while you’re at the circle, it’s important to follow all signs and to not touch the stones directly. Mainly because we all want to preserve them for another few thousand years, but also because you might *accidentally* FALL THROUGH TIME.
When was Callanish Stones built?
between 2900 and 2600 BC
The Calanais Standing Stones were erected between 2900 and 2600 BC – before the main circle at Stonehenge in England. Ritual activity at the site may have continued for 2000 years. The area inside the circle was levelled and the site gradually became covered with peat between 1000 and 500 BC.
Why were the Callanish Stones built?
The Callanish Stones (or “Callanish I”: Scottish Gaelic: Clachan Chalanais or Tursachan Chalanais) are an arrangement of standing stones placed in a cruciform pattern with a central stone circle. They were erected in the late Neolithic era, and were a focus for ritual activity during the Bronze Age.
Who built Callanish Stones?
Neolithic people erected the Callanish Stones about 5,000 years ago. Though the stones served as a hub for ritual activities for at least a millennium, their exact purpose has been lost to history.
When were the Callanish Stones built?
How many Callanish Stones are there?
thirteen stones
The Callanish Stones consist of a stone circle of thirteen stones with a monolith near the middle.
Is Callanish older than Stonehenge?
The Callanish Standing Stones It has been nicknamed the ‘Stonehenge of the North’ but, built around 3000 BC, the stones actually predate Stonehenge by approximately 2,000 years.
When was the Callanish Stones Discovered?
Archaeologists believe that this ritual site declined in importance around 1000 BC. And for hundreds of years, it stood forgotten, and a layer of turf has covered the ancient stones. A first written evidence of these stones is found in 1680 from a man by the name of John Morisone.
What do the Callanish Stones look like?
Description. The Callanish Stones consist of a stone circle of thirteen stones with a monolith near the middle. Five rows of standing stones connect to this circle. Two long rows of stones running almost parallel to each other from the stone circle to the north-northeast form a kind of avenue.
What is the history of the Callanish Stones?
Like Stonehenge, the origin and purpose of this stone monument has confused researchers for decades. But new evidence may help to explain the history of the Callanish Stones. The BBC reportsthat the Callanish Stones date back 5,000 years, to the Neolithic period, the latest segment of the Stone Age.
Is Calanais older than Stonehenge?
From at least as early as 1680, local people believed that the stones were the remains of men who had transgressed and were punished by being turned into stone. In 1695 an early antiquary, Martin Martin, claimed that it was a ‘heathen’ temple, with Druids worshipping there. More recently it has been claimed that Calanais is older than Stonehenge.
Are the Callanish stones petrified giants?
As with many prehistoric creations, the Callanish Stones are rich with legends and lore. One bit of local lore says the stones are petrified giants turned into stone for refusing to convert to Christianity.