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Ancient Observatory or Something Else? Groundbreaking Study Challenges Famous “Wheel of Ghosts” Purpose
Scitech Daily ^ | Tel-Aviv University

Posted on 01/06/2025 6:57:14 AM PST by Red Badger

A new study by researchers from Tel Aviv University and Ben-Gurion University reveals that geodynamic shifts over millions of years reoriented the ancient Rujm el-Hiri site, challenging its long-held identification as an astronomical observatory. Using advanced geophysical methods and remote sensing, the team uncovered the site’s original alignment and provided new insights into its potential purpose and the surrounding archaeological landscape. Credit: Abraham Graicer, Wikimedia Commons. CC 4.0

A scientific discovery challenges the common perception of Rujm el-Hiri in the Golan Heights.

A new study by Tel Aviv University and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has unveiled groundbreaking insights into the Rujm el-Hiri site, also known as the “Wheel of Ghosts,” located in the Golan Heights. Using geomagnetic analysis and tectonic reconstruction, researchers have determined that geodynamic movements over the past 150 million years, occurring at an average rate of 8–15 mm per year, caused significant shifts in the ground. These movements gradually rotated and reoriented the site’s structure over millennia.

This discovery casts doubt on the prevailing theory that the structure served as an astronomical observatory. The researchers found that the original alignment of the site’s walls and entrances does not align with celestial patterns, contradicting earlier hypotheses about its purpose.

The study was conducted by a research team led by Dr. Olga Khabarova and Prof. Lev Eppelbaum of the Department of Geophysics at Tel Aviv University’s Porter School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, in collaboration with Dr. Michal Birkenfeld of Ben-Gurion University’s Department of Archaeology. The findings were published in the journal Remote Sensing.

The researchers employed geophysical methods and remote sensing techniques to demonstrate that Rujm el-Hiri’s current orientation differs from its original position due to thousands of years of geodynamic shifts. This discovery raises new questions regarding the site’s possible identification as an observatory. The team conducted initial mapping and documentation of the archaeological landscape within 30 kilometers around the Sea of Galilee. It visually analyzed the region to identify typical landscape features associated with historical human activity and the reconstruction of archaeological objects.

Reassessment of Rujm el-Hiri’s Alignment

According to the research team, “The study was based on calculations of the sky map and aligning the directions of the solstices, equinoxes, and other celestial bodies as they appeared between 2500–3500 BCE, coordinated with the symmetry and entrances of Rujm el-Hiri in its current position. The findings show that the entrances and radial walls during that historical period were entirely different, reopening the question of the site’s purpose.”

The research team explains: “Due to geodynamic movement lasting approximately 150 million years, at an average speed of 8–15 mm per year, the ground in the area has undergone significant shifts. The orientation of the walls and entrances in their original positions does not align with celestial observations, as previously believed.”

Rujm el-Hiri. (a) Geographic location, (32°54′30.87″N, 35°48′3.89″E); (b) Aerial view, adapted from [21]; (c) Distance-height profile of the surrounding area relative to the northernmost point of the Sea of Galilee (vertical axis—altitude below/above sea level, in m; horizontal axis—the distance in km). The vertical line indicates the location of Rujm el-Hiri. Credit: Remote Sensing, 10.3390/rs16224239

The study also provides the first comprehensive mapping of the archaeological landscape surrounding Rujm El-Hiri, using advanced satellite technology. Unique landscape features were identified, including circular structures with 40–90 meters diameters, thick walls, and round enclosures approximately 20 meters in diameter, which appeared to serve agricultural or herding purposes. Dozens of burial mounds (tumuli) were documented in the area, some of which were likely used as storage facilities, shelters, or dwellings, in addition to their traditional role as burial sites.

The researchers conclude: “This new study not only opens a window to understanding Rujm el-Hiri but also enriches our knowledge of ancient life in the Golan Heights and the connections between various archaeological findings in the area.”

Reference:

“Discussion Points of the Remote Sensing Study and Integrated Analysis of the Archaeological Landscape of Rujm el-Hiri”

by Olga Khabarova, Michal Birkenfeld and Lev V. Eppelbaum, 13 November 2024, Remote Sensing.

DOI: 10.3390/rs16224239


TOPICS: History; Military/Veterans; Outdoors; Religion
KEYWORDS: archaeoastronomy; bronzeage; cryptobiology; godsgravesglyphs; golanheights; israel; maze; megaliths; rogemhiri; rujmalhiri; rujmelhiri; wheelofghosts
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1 posted on 01/06/2025 6:57:14 AM PST by Red Badger
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To: SunkenCiv

PinGGG!........................


2 posted on 01/06/2025 6:57:32 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: Red Badger
Was there once a half bull, half man living inside it?

Or is that too Greek?

3 posted on 01/06/2025 7:02:12 AM PST by Alas Babylon! (Repeal the Patriot Act; Abolish the DHS; reform FBI top to bottom!)
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To: Red Badger

Looks more like a iron age fortress, like Maiden’s in England. The design appears to have limited entrances, maze like pattern, and kill areas with an elevated center for observation.


4 posted on 01/06/2025 7:02:47 AM PST by Pete Dovgan
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To: Red Badger

Maybe they intended to align it with solstices, but they had a crappy contractor.


5 posted on 01/06/2025 7:05:32 AM PST by fruser1
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To: fruser1

6 posted on 01/06/2025 7:08:25 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: Pete Dovgan

7 posted on 01/06/2025 7:15:00 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: Red Badger

Are they saying the structure is 150 million years old, but does not align with their idea of when it was constructed? Very confusing.


8 posted on 01/06/2025 7:16:03 AM PST by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now its your turn)
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To: Red Badger

I guess I need more coffee today. It says that this thing is from 3000BC, but they talk about millions of years of tectonic shifting effecting its orientation?
Hasn’t it recently been declared that the constellations don’t exactly line up like they did when all that was first sorted? IOW, we may not be born under the sign we think we were. Which is it? Has the “big bang” continued to spread things out, or has the earth shifted somewhat, or possibly some of both?


9 posted on 01/06/2025 7:22:09 AM PST by bk1000 (Banned from Breitbart)
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To: Red Badger

“2500–3500 BCE”

Using “BCE/CE” is the newest way to demonstrate a complete rejection of God/Christ.

Gutless cowards refuse to use the historic references “BC/AD”.


10 posted on 01/06/2025 7:22:10 AM PST by newfreep ("There is no race problem...just a problem race")
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To: bk1000

The signs of the zodiac are not where they used to be. They move and the Earth/Sun and planets all move in relation to the stars. It’s continuously changing. That’s why ‘astrology’ is all bunk.....................


11 posted on 01/06/2025 7:26:08 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: Red Badger

Wouldn’t this finding call into question alignments for other structures from a similar time frame, like Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid; or is this area supposed to be unusually restless?


12 posted on 01/06/2025 7:34:03 AM PST by Flag_This (They're lying.)
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To: Flag_This

It’s known for it faults.................


13 posted on 01/06/2025 7:34:47 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: Red Badger

Did they take into account the changing astronomical patterns during that time period?


14 posted on 01/06/2025 7:36:06 AM PST by fella ("As it was before Noah so shall it be again," )
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To: Red Badger
"It’s known for it faults................."

What you did there, I see it!

15 posted on 01/06/2025 7:37:07 AM PST by Flag_This (They're lying.)
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To: Red Badger

Are they stupid enough to think some human built it 150 million years ago?

Why don’t they compare it to celestial alignments a billion years ago?

Looks like a bronze age fortification to me.


16 posted on 01/06/2025 7:46:38 AM PST by PAR35
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To: PIF

I am also confused. I hope they don’t claim this thing is 150M years old


17 posted on 01/06/2025 8:13:04 AM PST by Doctor Congo
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To: Doctor Congo

Maybe their were humans around then but they did not look like us. One of the mythical previous civilizations. Ancient Alien theorists say, “Yes”.


18 posted on 01/06/2025 8:16:07 AM PST by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now its your turn)
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To: Doctor Congo

Did everything line up to solstices and equinoxes as it is?
But now they say the ground spun around so it all the alignments were wrong back then, but they are correct today?

Dalek voice: Explain Explain


19 posted on 01/06/2025 8:18:42 AM PST by Doctor Congo
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To: Red Badger

HOW DO WE KNOW THE VISIBLE SKY HASN’T SHIFTED???


20 posted on 01/06/2025 10:18:22 AM PST by ridesthemiles (not giving up on TRUMP---EVER)
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