Parque Arqueológico do Solstício
Parque Arqueológico do Solstício | |
---|---|
Type | Archaeological site |
Location | Calçoene, Amapá, Brazil |
Coordinates | 2°37′13″N 51°00′44″W / 2.62028°N 51.01222°W |
The Parque Arqueológico do Solstício (Solstice Archaeological Park), referred to in academic sources as AP-CA-18, is an archaeological park located in Amapá state, Brazil, near the city of Calçoene. It contains a megalithic stone circle, colloquially known as the Amazon Stonehenge, consisting of 127 blocks of granite, each up to 4 meters tall, standing upright in a circle measuring over 30 meters in diameter at the bank of the Rego Grande river on a hilltop. Archaeologists believe that this site was built by indigenous peoples for astronomical, ceremonial, or burial purposes, and likely a combination. The function of this megalithic site is unknown, much like other sites such as Stonehenge, a much older site in Great Britain.
Discovery
The first reports of the Rego Grande site are from naturalist
Findings
Though the stones have not been submitted to dating techniques,
On the
Apart from the circular hole the granite stones that make up Amazon Stonehenge appear irregularly shaped. Whether this irregularity reflects primitive mining technology or holds clues regarding potential uses of the site has not yet been determined.[3]
During the excavations two large pits have been found, both approximately 1.5 – 2 meters deep and covered by large stone slabs. During excavation, shards of pottery, red clay, and ash from human remains were found. Three intact urns were found in a triangular formation at the bottom of one pit and more intact urns, as well as a few lids were found in the second. Remnants of cremated human remains have been found with these shards and in the urns, suggesting that these pits were either burial sites or that select human remains were buried here because they were significant. Shards of bowls and other pieces of pottery have been found in smaller pits near by. These bowls, lids, and urns have been found created in the shapes of animals and human-like figurines.[4][5][1]
Significance
Evidence has been found near the Rego Grande site and all over the Amazon to suggest that the indigenous people of the region lived in a complex societies that involved both agriculture and a close relationship with the natural environment around them.[citation needed]
There are also several other megalithic sites in Brazil that follow the curves of the Rego Grande river. The fact that these Megalithic sites seem to follow such a pattern suggests that Amazon Stonehenge may have been used as either a ceremonial site and that its structure and cultural significance were shared amount different indigenous communities in pre-Columbian Brazil.[citation needed]
Despite not knowing the exact use of the Rego Grande site, most scientist agree that it alludes to a pre-Columbian society that was much more complex than previously thought.[citation needed]
See also
- List of archaeoastronomical sites sorted by country
References
- ^ a b c Lehman, Stan (2006-06-27). "Another 'Stonehenge' discovered in Amazon: Centuries-old granite grouping may have served as observatory". NBC News. Retrieved 2007-02-13.
- ^ "Calçoene megalithic observatory - Amazon Stonehenge". Wondermondo. Archived from the original on 17 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
- ^ Romero, Simon (14 December 2016). "A 'Stonehenge,' and a Mystery, in the Amazon". The New York Times.
- ^ "'Amazon Stonehenge' found in Brazil". ABC News Online. 2006-05-14. Archived from the original on 18 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-13. Incorporates text from Agence France-Presse (AFP).
- ^ Butler, Rhett (2006-05-14). "Amazon Stonehenge suggests advanced ancient rainforest culture". Mongabay.com. Archived from the original on 18 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-13.
Further reading
- "'Amazon Stonehenge' found in Brazil: report". Agence France-Press. 2006-05-13. Search the archive for "'Amazon Stonehenge' found in Brazil: report" as the title, and make sure the date range includes 13 May 2006. It is not free.
- Zobel, Gibby (2006-06-29). "Will Amazon's Stonehenge rewrite history?". Al Jazeera English. Archived from the original on 2006-11-19. Retrieved 2007-02-13.
- Kingstone, Steve (2006-05-13). "'Brazilian Stonehenge' discovered". BBC News. Retrieved 2007-02-13.
- "Calçoene megalithic observatory - Amazon Stonehenge". Wondermondo. Archived from the original on 17 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-07.