Ορθόλιθοι του Στέννες: Διαφορά μεταξύ των αναθεωρήσεων

The stones are thin slabs, approximately 300 mm (1 ft) thick. Four, up to about 5 m (16 ft) high, were originally elements of an elliptical shaped stone circle of 12 stones, about 32 m (104 ft) diameter, on a levelled platform of 44 m (144 ft) diameter surrounded by a ditch. The ditch is cut into rock by as much as 2 m (7 ft) depth and is 7 m (23 ft) wide, surrounded by an earth bank, with a single entrance causeway on the north side. The entrance faces towards the [[Neolithic]] [[Barnhouse Settlement]] which has been found adjacent to the Loch of Harray. The Watch Stone stands outside the circle to the north-west and is 5.6 m (18 ft) high. Other smaller stones include a square stone setting in the centre of the circle platform where cremated bone, charcoal and pottery were found, and animal bones were found in the ditch. The pottery links the monument to [[Skara Brae]] and Maeshowe, and the site is thought to date from at least 3000 BC.

 

Even in the 18th century the site was still associated with traditions and rituals, by then relating to Norse gods. It was visited by [[Walter Scott]] in 1814, but then a (non local) farmer decided to remove the stones. This caused outrage and he was stopped after destroying one stone and toppling another, which was re-erected in 1906 along with some inaccurate reconstruction inside the circle. The nearby Odin Stone which had become legendary was also destroyed. However, even the few stones that have survived create a powerful atmosphere hinting at the distant past.