High-tech lasers have been used to unlock the secrets of Stonehenge.

bbc ^ | Thursday, 16 October, 2003

[stainlessbanner]

The work at the ancient site in Wiltshire has already uncovered two carvings which are invisible to the naked eye.

The carvings of bronze axe heads are between four and six inches long.

Similar markings were found at the site in the 1950s, but archaeologists say these are now too badly eroded to be seen.

The research by Wessex Archaeology and 3D laser scan firm Archaeoptics began in the summer of 2002.

They used a low-powered laser beam to scan the stones without causing damage to the structure.

Three stones have been scanned to date, and the investigating team insists a full survey of all 83 would probably reveal more carvings.

"The laser scanning has opened up a whole new way of seeing Stonehenge," said Tom Goskar of Wessex Archaeology.

"With more time we could uncover many more and make plainer the outline of some known carvings that are difficult to see.

"This would give us a much better idea of the extent of the carvings and help us achieve a greater understanding of the monument."

[stainlessbanner]

[Agnes Heep]

I hear they've also detected one inscription which, translated from the Celtic tongue, reads: "Here I sit, broken hearted ...."

[marktuoni]

I think that the problem may have been...that there was a Stonehenge monument on the stage that was in danger of being crushed by a dwarf.

[stainlessbanner]

Pretty cool. I'll be impressed when they find one that says "LedZep Rules!"

[dogbyte12]

First there was a strawhenge, and a woodhenge, but the big bad wolf blew them down.

Remember that?

[theFIRMbss]

>already uncovered two carvings which are invisible to the naked eye

Just imagine what
they'd find if they laser-scanned
this old artifact...

[BenLurkin]

LOL!

[T Minus Four]

Carhenge

[Quix]

Talk about getting PERSONAL!

Or were you trying to break the machine?

[Consort]

...Keel blocks for a large round flying craft.

[mtbopfuyn]

Looks more like a ancient Wal-Mart.

[Cyber Ninja]

The carvings of bronze axe heads are between four and six inches long.

Druid graffiti?

[Sabertooth]

((((((growl)))))

[FairOpinion]

Thanks for the ping.

Interesting.

I wonder if they will ever find carvings, which will explain the purpose of Stonehinge.

[doug from upland]

[TheAngryClam]

Yes, but at least we found Woodhenge.

[Lucy Lake]

Thanks for the ping to an interesting article.

[norraad]

Thought I was watching a documentary industrial film on the manufacture of footballs (lot's of pulling up leather & stitching, etc.), turns out it was Joan Rivers extreme makeover!

[gcruse]

I wonder if they will ever find carvings, which will explain the purpose of Stonehinge.

To lure people into misspelling?