Early sketch of Stonehenge found

The Guardian ^ | 27 Nov 2006 | Maev Kennedy

[FLOutdoorsman]

The oldest detailed drawing of Stonehenge, found in a 1440 manuscript, the Scala Mundi

They got the date wrong by some 3,000 years, but the oldest detailed drawing of Stonehenge, apparently based on first hand observation, has turned up in a 15th century manuscript.

The little sketch is a bird's eye view of the stones, and shows the great trilithons, the biggest stones in the monument, each made of two pillars capped with a third stone lintel, which stand in a horseshoe in the centre of the circle. Only three are now standing, but the drawing, found in Douai, northern France, suggests that in the 15th century four of the original five survived.

In the Scala Mundi, the Chronicle of the World, Merlin is given credit for building Stonehenge between 480 and 486, when the Latin text says he "not by force, but by art, brought and erected the giant's ring from Ireland". Modern science suggests that the stones went up from 2,500 BC, with the bluestone outer circle somehow transported from west Wales, and the double decker bus-size sarsen stones dragged 30 miles across Salisbury plain.

[Just another Joe]

it's the oldest profession, isn't it?

Nope, it only ranks as third.

[Liberty Valance]

We've got Stonehenge II here in Central Texas...we call it "the henge". It's about 20 miles from my house.

[Sacajaweau]

You either scam your way with historical "stuff" or use grant money. Either way, you're a winner. The Turin scam is a good example of a win-win.

[Bigh4u2]

"The Turin scam is a good example of a win-win."

The problem I have with the Shroud of Turin is, I think it's been tampered with. Doesn't mean it couldn't be real, but with that big question mark hanging over it, it would be a tough road to travel to prove it's authenticity.

Sometimes, mysteries should just remain mysteries.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Ruled paper has existed since at least 400 AD. Before 1770, when John Tetlow invented the first ruling machine, the lines were drawn by hand. Nowadays, you can just click here.

The "lines" appear to be watermarks from the printing process: the paper is suspended and dried from a frame that has a regular grid of fine wires at regular intervals. So, these wires make a ruled impression (literally!) in the old paper.

And yes, if you read about old books and research involving old books, its very difficult to actually "read" them: the libraries get very, very touchy about releasing their Middle Age manuscripts and original books to even experts, much less to the public at large. So it is very likely that the "book" itself has NOT been read or studied for years, (if ever). Not too surprising that a small sketch of Stonehenge would go undiscovered for 600 years.

The books probably has been opened in this century only 4 or 5 times, if at all.

[Robert A Cook PE]

No hills nearby - that's why it is located where it is: the horizon is clear and level.

A good artist can create a simple 3D view by projection: nothing complex, heck people have painted and sculpted 3D models since the Egyptians.

[Mr. K]

You don’t VOTE for a king!