ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

Mystery of 200 ‘rock columns’ 2,500 years OLDER than Stonehenge that archaeologists can’t explain

ARCHAEOLOGISTS are finally teaming up to solve the mystery surrounding a prehistoric megalith site in Armenia known as the "Armenian Stonehenge".

Bnorran Historic-Cultural NGO and the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography will be working together despite their differences of opinion on how the 5500BC structure was built and what it was used for.

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The structure is often compared to Stonehenge although it is much olderCredit: Alamy

The two institutions think the site was either used as an astronomical observatory or a burial monument.

It consists of over 200 stones and 80 of them have mysterious holes drilled into them.

According to the archaeological expedition team leader Ashot Piliposyan said: "It requires studies in all aspects.

"We discussed  many issues during the signing of the agreement, we even considered that maybe in the future it will be possible to build a museum near the monument to display all materials regarding the ancient site."

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The structure has a circular interiorCredit: Wikimedia Commons

There is no evidence of astronomical tools at the site but some archaeologists think that the stones are meant to mirror a bright star called Deneb.

Both institutions which have just signed the agreement will now suspend any current investigations at Carahunge.

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A joint seminar that will involve lots of experts including astronomers, archaeoastronomers, archaeologists and ethnographers will soon take place so a new research plan can be put in place.

Lots of the stones have mysterious holes in themCredit: Wikimedia Commons

What is Carahunge?

Here's what you need to know...

  • Carahunge is a prehistoric archaeological site in Armenia which some people refer to as the Armenian Stonehenge due to its stone circle similarities
  • The site has a total of 223 stones but some are more spread out than others
  • The structure is thought to have been built sometime between the Middle Bronze Age and Iron Age and was recently dated to around 5500BC
  • 80 of the stone have circular holes drilled into them but no one knows why
  • It has been connected to burials and astronomy
Thousands of people mark summer solstice at Stonehenge as sun rises

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And, a mysterious burial pit with ‘child, donkey, goat, cat and bird’ skeletons on top of each other inside leaves archaeologists baffled.

What do you make of this rocky mystery? Let us know in the comments...


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