The Great Pyramid and Stonehenge
There are so many theories about the purpose of these two iconic monuments.
Many are fanciful and not based on any evidence.
Perhaps there are commonalities that have been overlooked.
General Similarities
• They were built at approximately 2500 BC
• From the Stone Age period
• Both were developments from simple stone circles from earlier epochs
• They were concerned with burials and cult worship
• Both were centred on the sun and its continued motion
• With links to the stars
• They were preoccupied with the horizon
• Both were surrounded by tombs and graves
• The builders were farming people who depended on the sun and water
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Specific similarities – The Great Pyramid
• The Great Pyramid had a substantial enclosure wall that represented the horizon.
• The whole space inside the enclosure represented both the earth and the sky (heaven)
• The dead King was required to ensure that the sun rose every day in the east and set in the west.
• He was also required to ensure a good flood after the re-appearance of Sirius
• The cult worshippers came with offerings and prayers to assist the king in his tasks
• The Sed Festival celebrated when the king took charge of the heavens.
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Specific similarities – Stonehenge
• The stones in the circle represented the horizon
• The raised circle of lintel stones on top of the sarsen stones represented the sky (heaven)
• The horseshoe of five raised lintel stones at the centre may have been burial markers of important ancestors who had risen to the sky (heaven)
• The cult worshippers came at midwinter to pray for what affected their future.
• They wanted the sun to reverse its midwinter setting direction along the horizon.
• They would also pray for good rainfall and harvests.
• The cult followers celebrated the turning around of the sun’s setting point.
There are of course many differences between the monuments but the core principle of them seems to be the same – to implore the sun and other gods to continue favourable conditions on earth for their existence - with the help of the influential deceased.
There are so many theories about the purpose of these two iconic monuments.
Many are fanciful and not based on any evidence.
Perhaps there are commonalities that have been overlooked.
General Similarities
• They were built at approximately 2500 BC
• From the Stone Age period
• Both were developments from simple stone circles from earlier epochs
• They were concerned with burials and cult worship
• Both were centred on the sun and its continued motion
• With links to the stars
• They were preoccupied with the horizon
• Both were surrounded by tombs and graves
• The builders were farming people who depended on the sun and water
Specific similarities – The Great Pyramid
• The Great Pyramid had a substantial enclosure wall that represented the horizon.
• The whole space inside the enclosure represented both the earth and the sky (heaven)
• The dead King was required to ensure that the sun rose every day in the east and set in the west.
• He was also required to ensure a good flood after the re-appearance of Sirius
• The cult worshippers came with offerings and prayers to assist the king in his tasks
• The Sed Festival celebrated when the king took charge of the heavens.
Specific similarities – Stonehenge
• The stones in the circle represented the horizon
• The raised circle of lintel stones on top of the sarsen stones represented the sky (heaven)
• The horseshoe of five raised lintel stones at the centre may have been burial markers of important ancestors who had risen to the sky (heaven)
• The cult worshippers came at midwinter to pray for what affected their future.
• They wanted the sun to reverse its midwinter setting direction along the horizon.
• They would also pray for good rainfall and harvests.
• The cult followers celebrated the turning around of the sun’s setting point.
There are of course many differences between the monuments but the core principle of them seems to be the same – to implore the sun and other gods to continue favourable conditions on earth for their existence - with the help of the influential deceased.