Ancient Stone Circles in Mideast Baffle Archaeologists

Live Science ^ | October 30, 2014 07:49am ET | Owen Jarus,

[BenLurkin]

Their purpose is unknown, and archaeologists are unsure when these structures were built. Analysis of the photographs, as well as artifacts found on the ground, suggest the circles date back at least 2,000 years, but they may be much older. They could even have been constructed in prehistoric times, before writing was invented, scientists say.

Though the Big Circles were first spotted by aircraft in the 1920s, little research has focused on these structures, and many scientists are not even aware of their existence, something these archaeologists hope the new aerial images will help to change.

The "most important contribution is simply to collect and make known a large group of rather remarkable sites," writes Kennedy, a professor at the University of Western Australia, in an article published recently in the journal Zeitschrift für Orient Archäologie.

In addition to the 11 photographed circles, researchers have identified another similar circle in Jordan, which appears to have been only partially completed, Kennedy noted. Old satellite imagery also reveals two circles, one in Jordan and another in Syria, which have both been destroyed. The circle in Syria was destroyed within the last decade and the one in Jordan a few decades ago. A separate research team, from Durham University, investigated the Syria circle before it was completely gone.

While there are many smaller stone circles in the Middle East, what makes these 11 Big Circles stand out is their large size and ancient age, Kennedy said.

[BenLurkin]

Antediluvian civilization ping.

[GeronL]

children’s playground

[Alex Murphy]

In addition to the 11 photographed circles, researchers have identified another similar circle in Jordan, which appears to have been only partially completed, Kennedy noted. Old satellite imagery also reveals two circles, one in Jordan and another in Syria, which have both been destroyed. The circle in Syria was destroyed within the last decade and the one in Jordan a few decades ago. A separate research team, from Durham University, investigated the Syria circle before it was completely gone. While there are many smaller stone circles in the Middle East, what makes these 11 Big Circles stand out is their large size and ancient age, Kennedy said.

PFL

[camle]

aliens. has to be

[DonaldC]

Archaeologists are always baffled.

[chrisser]

The Big Circles (as archaeologists call them) were built with low stone walls that are no more than a few feet high.

Sounds like the foundations for those inflatable domes used for driving ranges. Perhaps they should look for ancient golf balls...

[molson209]

Pig pens

[DBrow]

A fence a few feet high, near “kites” used in slaughter. Water usually nearby. I am not an archaeologist, but I’ll suggest a sheep farm.

[tophat9000]

They found the Stargate

[DonaldC]

I think Stargate is my favorite franchise of all time. :)

Usually these circles were for some astro-theological purpose. This is probably the same.

[Hot Tabasco]

It seems unlikely that they were originally used as corrals, as the walls were no more than a few feet high, the circles contain no structures that would have helped maintain an animal herd

Turtle farms.......

[Paladin2]

Blazing Saddles firepit

[Doomonyou]

Trout ponds.

[Hiddigeigei]

Perhaps the area was cleared for plowing and agriculture during a wetter climate cycle.

[Noob1999]

Global Warming remediation sites.

[PIF]

While the article does not say which country the circle is located in, the image on the site shows a nearby river and perhaps the Med in the background.

Likely these were built by the pre-Egyptian dynasty “Libyans” who built similar Megalithic structures as far north as the UK (Stonehenge) - all close to water. Most of those date to around 3,500 BC or shortly after.

These same people are postulated to have been the builders of the Giza complex. However, proving it would mean digging down through hundreds of feet in the north and west of the Nile River Delta, the territory the “Libyans” or Westerners controlled at the time.

I think I read there are some examples of their writing, but there is no way to translate it yet.

Most archeologists would likely say they built most of these structures as a calendar, solar observation points, etc. However, these are just theories. Which may be akin to saying the Giza pyramids were built as Pharaohs tombs ... which are neither tombs nor built by ancient dynastic Egyptians.

The past is not only stranger than we think, but stranger than we can imagine ...

[Orbiter]

Open air prisons. Break the legs of convicts then throw them over the stone wall. They’ll starve or eat someone before they’re healed.

[Hot Tabasco]

Likely these were built by the pre-Egyptian dynasty “Libyans”

Even they enjoyed trout fishing......Not likely with Rapala's but the traditional hook and locust.......

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks BenLurkin. Somewhere on FR there are topics about a stone circle in Yemen, another in Saudi Arabia, and one in Somalia (right across from Yemen).